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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MAC Championships
BGSU Takes Sixth At MAC Tournament
March 25, 2006 | Gymnastics
March 25, 2006
KALAMAZOO, Mich -
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
Tonight the season came to a end as the Bowling Green State University gymnastics squad took sixth with a 190.875, out of seven in the Mid-American Conference tournament. The host team and MAC regular season champions Western Michigan University won the meet posting a 103.800, followed by: Central Michigan University 193.175, Kent State University 192.700, Eastern Michigan University 192.075, Northern Illinois University 191.225 and Ball State University 188.225.
Head Coach Dan Connelly was very proud of his team and sad to see the season come to an end. "They never gave up, this team as faced more obstacles then any other and tonight was a moral victory." He also was very proud of his co-captains and their leadership will be missed, "They were great captains, and worked so well together." Senior co-captain Jessica Bradley said, "This team like all others has its ups and downs and I am just proud we were able to improve week in a week out to get to this point."
The Falcons were forced to jump right into the meet as they had to compete first on beam. The nerves were running high and the team started off with a few shaky performances. Veteran Jillian Stranges put the nerves aside as she stuck a 9.475. Senior Jessica Guyer knew what was at stake as she blocked out the noise and scored a 9.600. Last up was Bethany Kenel, who knew her team needed a strong performance and some momentum for the next event. She was calm and steady landing a 9.700 tying her for fourth. The Orange and Brown looked to keep it going as they moved to floor.
While on the mats no Falcon would score lower then a 9.500. Stranges paved the way for the rest of the team as she flipped to a 9.625. Marissa Saneholtz picked a good time to record a season and career high of 9.550. Allison Swafford added a spark in the line up as she line danced to a 9.625. Wrapping up the floor for the team was Guyer, the backbone to the floor squad. She tumbled to a 9.750 and put the Falcons in the middle of the pack heading to vault. The Falcons as a team scored they second highest score on floor with a 48.125.
Vault, the event that has been the standout for the team thus far this year was no exception today. BGSU recorded its second highest vault score with a 48.375, only .025 behind their highest. Leading the way for the Orange and Brown was the quiet standout, Ashlee deLeeuw. Head Coach Dan Connelly told her today that she was a questionable contender on vault. She answered him with a 9.750. This is her career high and the second highest score on the team. She wasn't the only one stepping up. Guyer would tie deLeeuw, and Swafford would add a 9.675. With only one more event left the Falcons were still in the middle of the hunt.
Like the beam the Falcons started the event off shaky but finished strong. Jenna Wirtanen set a career high 9.400 as she would step up and get the team on the right track. She was followed by Ashlee deLeeuw who landed her dismount and was all smiles with a 9.550. Both Jessica Bradley and Jholeen Ponce finished strong with 9.600. While the team left it all on the mats their score fell short of the leader.
While at the MAC banquet Guyer would be announced as MAC Scholar Athlete of the week for the week of Feb. 21. However like all other seasons this one must come to an end. Sadly the Falcons are going to say goodbye to their two co-captains, Bradley and Guyer, and their team manager Missy Brouch. The seniors led by example all season and are hoping their leadership will pave the way for the underclassmen. The Orange and Brown have ended the season with a MAC record of 2-4 and overall record of 4-11
Beam
Jholeen Ponce 8.900
Jessica Bradley 9.275
Jillian Stranges 9.475
Katie Follett 8.800
Jessica Guyer 9.600
Bethany Kenel 9.700
Total 46.950
Floor
Jillian Stranges 9.625
Jenna Wirtanen 9.500
Marissa Saneholtz 9.550
Erin Coudriet 9.575
Allison Swafford 9.625
Jessica Guyer 9.750
Total 48.125
Vault
Jillian Stranges9.600
Allison Swafford9.675
Jessica McArthur9.600
Jessica Guyer9.750
Jayme Stambaugh9.275
Ashlee deLeeuw 9.750
Total 48.375
Bars
Jessica McArthur9.225
Jessica Bradley9.600
Ashlee deLeeuw9.550
Jholeen Ponce9.600
Jenna Wirtanen9.400
Jayme Stambaugh9.275
Total 47.425
