Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Kentucky State University
Falcons Fall in All-Ohio Meet
March 25, 2007 | Gymnastics
March 24, 2007
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - On an emotional night, Saturday, March 24, the Bowling Green State University gymnastics team took third out of three at the All-Ohio Gymnastics Competition. The Falcons honored not only their current seniors, Erin Coudriet, Bethany Kenel, Jillian Stranges, Allison Swafford, Sakura Tomita and Karly Yohe; but Jessica McArthur who did not get to compete in her senior season due to a kidney transplant.
Ohio State took the crown with a team score of, 195.825. They were followed by Kent State (195.325), and BGSU (192.425). This team score is the third highest on the season for the Orange and Brown.
"It was a pretty emotional night for our seniors," said Head Coach Dan Connelly. "Overall I thought that we did a very good job. Unfortunately, we had to count one of the falls, but that's an improvement for us."
BGSU opened the meet up on the vault, where they posted the third highest team score on the season, 48.350. Jacque Bernhardt led the way taking second with a 9.850. Behind her in ninth was Jenna Wirtanen tying her season best with a score of 9.725. Freshman Queenita Gamble competed on vault for her second time this season, setting a new career best with a 9.550.
The team was without their leader Sakura Tomita on the uneven bars. Tomita was injured in warm-ups and did not compete. Taking her place for the event was junior Jholeen Ponce, who didn't even warm-up. Freshman Megan Chronister posted the best score for the team with a 9.625; tying her for 11th due to strong performance from KSU's Kristen Peters who scored a 9.9. Jenna Wirtanen flipped to a 9.600, followed by Ponce (9.550).
"Losing Sak in our line-up was a big loss. Hopefully she can get healthy and compete next week in MAC's, said Connelly, "I think it really showed Jo's character tonight, coming in and competing for us."
Beam continues to be a rough event for the Falcons. There were some bright moments when Gamble tied her career best of 9.700. Katie Follett set a new personal best at 9.675, followed by Chronister, 9.625.
Connelly was very pleased with the performance from Gamble, "We have to hand it to Gamble for coming in a landing a solid routine for our squad."
The bright spot of the night came from Morgan Balzer who set a career best of 9.800 on the floor. Jacque Bernhardt continued to be a leader as she finished tied for eighth with a score of 9.775. Swafford tied her personal best at 9.750, and tied for tenth with Rachel Gourley. As a team the Falcons set a new season high on floor at 48.650.
"The highlight of the night came with how our team finished on floor. We need to get some bodies healthy, and we will have a lot better scores next week," said Connelly.
The wounded Falcons will have a short week to rest up, as they travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan for the Mid-American Conference Championships. The meet will be on Saturday, March 30, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
