Bowling Green State University
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eagles Soar to a 192.475-188.925 Win Over Falcons in MAC Season Opener
January 13, 2007 | Gymnastics
Jan. 13, 2007
YPSILANTI, MI - The Bowling Green State University gymnastics squad its 2007 season with a road trip to Ypsilanti, Michigan to compete in a tri-meet on Saturday. The Falcons finished the night 1-1 as they lost to Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan, 188.925-192.475, but were victorious against Ursinus College (178.950).
Head coach Dan Connelly was very pleased with his team's effort, "We started the meet off on vault which caused the freshmen to get their feet wet early. However, the upperclassman did a great job landing some solid routines for us. We just had to get the nerves out."
The Orange and Brown had to start the meet on their least favorite event, the beam. Freshman Megan Chronister began the event for the Falcons but only scored a 9.050. Veteran Jillian Stranges would flip her way to a fourth place finish of 9.575, followed by sophomore Jholeen Ponce who placed behind her in fifth with a 9.550. Finishing the event was Bethany Kenel, who is no stranger to the pressure of the beam. She landed a solid routine and placed third, marking 9.600.
Nerves also plagued the Falcons in the following event, the floor. Their highest score came from freshman Amber Brewer, who recorded a 9.450. Junior Jacque Bernhardt and sophomore Jenna Wirtanen both finished behind Brewer, each marking scores of 9.425. With the floor behind them, the team switched their focus onto vault and bars to end the meet.
Ponce made her first career attempt on vault, landing a 9.650 and a fourth place finish. Wirtanen continued from where she left off last season and recorded a 9.525. However, BGSU was led by the experience of Bernhardt, who had a flawless routine. Her score of 9.750 placed her in third place and tied her career best. Heading into the last event, EMU slowly began to pull away from the Orange and Brown and established a 3.650 lead ahead of BGSU.
Bars hosted the anticipated return of senior co-captain Sakura Tomita. She did not disappoint with a stellar performance, sealing a first place finish and a career high of 9.775. Ashlee deLeeuw placed third and also set a career high of 9.750.
"Sak really did a fantastic job on the bars, and our vault did outstanding. The floor needs some work, but give us a week in the gym and you will see a whole different team out there next week," said Connelly.
Next week the Orange and Brown will return to Bowling Green to host last year's MAC champions, Western Michigan. The showdown will take place inside the Eppler Complex at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 20.
Connelly looks forward to next week's meet and greater things to come. "Once things start to click we are really going to come together. We are going to rely on the freshmen a lot this year so it was good to get that first meet out of the way. Once things get going we are really going to be a great team."
