Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Open 2007 Season With MAC Opponent
January 11, 2007 | Gymnastics
Jan. 11, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
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The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team will begin their 2007 season competing in a tri-meet against Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan. The meet will take place in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Saturday (Jan. 13) at 4:00 p.m. Also attending the meet will be Ursinus College. The Falcons will look to continue to build on last year's memorable performances, the best coming against EMU with a team score of 191.850. In the MAC preseason coaches poll the Falcons were picked to finish six out of seven.
Clipping the Eagles
Eastern Michigan ended their season last year with a fourth place finish in the Mid American Conference Championship. They were led by Rebecca Fuss who is back for her senior season. She competed in the NCAA Central Regionals last year and placed 19th in the all-around scoring 37.775.
EMU also returns MAC freshman of the year in Zu Vuong and veteran Tawna Bennett. Vuong placed third in the all-around last season at the MAC Championship with a 38.600.
The Falcons edge the series overall 17-14.
Taming the Bears
In 2006 Ursinus College finished their season with a sixth place finish at the NCGA Championships. Senior Jessica Furman and junior Bree Morrissey finished second and third in the all-around respectively, with scores of 37.575 and 37.425. Furman was named to the 2006 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America College Division women's at-large second team.
The Falcons have never competed against Ursinus College.
Falcons Return Plenty of Experience
Even with the departure of seniors Jessica Bradley, Jessica Guyer and Marie-Eve Boisvert the BGSU gymnastics team will return nine letter winners. Of those nine, six are seniors who are ready to lead by experience.
Vault Continues to Be A Strong Event
Last season the Falcons scored at least a team total of 48.00 or higher in six of eleven total meets. They will be led by senior co-captain Allison Swafford who set a career high of 9.725 against Northern Illinois last year. Ashlee deLeeuw continued to spark the Falcons line up as she improved in every meet to end the year with a 9.750 coming in the MAC Championships. Looking to make an early impact on the vault will be freshman Amber Brewer and Rachel Gourley who in the Brown Orange scrimmage recorded 9.750 and 9.725, respectively.
Bars Looks to Improve
The Falcons are anticipating the return of senior co-captain Sakura Tomita who missed most of last season due to injury. She looks to have an early impact, as does deLeeuw who both scored a 9.800 in the scrimmage. Junior Jholeen Ponce and freshman Morgan Balzer will also both hope to make their marks in the line-up.
Depth Looks to Improve Beam
In the past the beam has proved to be a challenging event for the Orange and Brown. However, with the leadership of Bethany Kenel, who set three scores of 9.800 or higher last season, the Falcons look to make this year on beam different. Senior Jillian Stranges, Ponce, and Sophomore Katie Follett will look to add depth and experience to this event. Chomping at the bit will be freshman Megan Chronister and Brewer who both scored 9.550 in the scrimmage.
Ending Strong on Floor
All but four meets last season BGSU scored above 47.000 on floor. With the depart of Guyer, the Falcons are looking for new leadership on the mats, and Swafford wasted no time in the scrimmage when she flipped to a 9.850. Senior Erin Coudriet followed her with a 9.800.
The MAC Streak Continues
After their meet against Eastern Michigan, the Orange and Brown will return home to face off against MAC opponent Western Michigan on Saturday Jan. 20th at 7 p.m. inside the Eppler Complex. They will then continue their MAC streak as they face all six opponents in the first six meets.
