Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Kick Off 2008 Season by Hosting #16 Missouri
January 11, 2008 | Gymnastics
Jan. 11, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team will open its 2008 season on Saturday (1/12) against the 16th ranked Missouri Tigers. The meet will start at 7:00 p.m. inside the Eppler Complex located on the BGSU campus. The Falcons look to start the New Year off right with a new coaching staff of head coach Kerrie Beach and assistant coach Shannon Welker.
Looking to Tame the Tigers
Missouri enters the meet leading BGSU 1-3 overall, with their last victory coming in 2007 with a score of 196.075-190.650. Junior all-around performer Adrianne Perry, and All-Big 12 performer, Alicia Hatcher will lead the Tigers this season. Missouri finished last season by taking third at the NCAA West Regionals.
Falcon Preview
This season's squad returns eleven gymnasts from last year's team. They also added nine new faces in, eight freshmen and one transfer. The team hopes to build off of last year's season high of 192.775, which was their best team score since the 2004-05 season. Under the leadership of their captains Jacquelyn Bernhardt and Jholeen Ponce, the team will look to their young team members to make an early impact.
Vault Will Provide a Power Punch
The Orange and Brown's vault line-up will look to be a spark for the Falcons. Returning from last season are seniors Bernhardt and Ashlee deLeeuw. Bernhardt set a new all-time record as she recorded a 9.925 placing her tied for second in vault history. All but one of her last season scores was a 9.700 or higher. deLeeuw's career best was recorded last year when she flipped to a 9.775. Junior Jenna Wirtanen also brings experience to the line-up, with her last season career best coming at 9.725. Sophomore transfer Breanne Guy, was consistently in the 9.7 range with the University of Arkansas and her season high being a 9.850.
Bars Hope to Remain a Strength
Last season the bars became a strength for the Falcons as the team had a season high of 48.475. They will miss the leadership that Sakura Tomita provided but Ponce and deLeeuw have the experience to lead the team. Ponce and deLeeuw both had career highs last season at 9.675 and 9.750 respectively. Sophomore Morgan Balzer made an early impact last yaer when she recorded a 9.750, along with Wirtanen whose career best was recorded at a 9.675.
Beam Returns Experience
Ponce looks to lead the young team by experience as she returns with her career high of 9.825. Sophomore Megan Chronister will accompany Ponce on the beam bringing her career high of 9.750. Sophomore Katie Follett and Wirtanen both return with career highs of 9.675.
Floor Provides Excitement
Youth led the Orange and Brown on the floor last year as Balzer and Chronister both had career highs of 9.800 and 9.775 respectively. This season will be no different as the team looks to have five new faces in the line-up. The team's high score on floor last year was 48.650 the highest of the four events.
Pre-Season MAC Preview
Listed below is the 2008 pre-seaosn Mid-American Conference Poll. This poll is decided by the MAC coaches' votes.
MAC 2008 Gymnastics Preseason Poll
1. Kent State
2. Eastern Michigan
3. Central Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Bowling Green
6. Western Michigan
7. Ball State
Tournament Champion:
Eastern Michigan
Returning Home
After this weekend's meet the Falcons will stay home and host MAC opponent Eastern Michigan. This meet will be parent's night for the Orange and Brown and will take place inside the Eppler Complex at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 19th.
