Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Missouri State University
Experience Outshines Youth in Falcons Season Opener
January 12, 2008 | Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
The Bowling Green State University Falcons dropped its season opener to #16 Missouri 194.100-188.825 Saturday night. Even with the loss, the team saw many positives that they hope to build off of. The team had a vault score of 48.550, which is higher then last year's best of 48.450.
"There were definitely some highlights tonight," head coach Kerrie Beach said after the meet. "Morgan Balzer stepped up big tonight for us. We were really pleased with Breanne Guys' performance in the all-around. I just wish our competition would have reflected our practice."
The Orange and Brown opened the meet on vault where the team was off to a flying start. The lowest score recorded was a 9.525. The winner of the event went to Missouri's Sarah Shire who flipped to a 9.875. Senior Jacquelyn Bernhardt picked up right where she left off last season by placing tied for second with a 9.850. Following her was Guy who finished fourth with a 9.825. Freshman Meg Satterlee also added a top score of 9.750. The team carried their momentum on vault over to the bars.
Freshman Michelle Luchini led the team on bars by finishing sixth with a score of 9.550. Alicia Hatcher led the way for Missouri with a score of 9.775. Megan Chronister placed eighth by scoring a 9.425. Chronister came in last minute and replaced freshman Kasey Fillmore who went out in warm-ups with an injury. Fillmore would have competed in the all-around for the Orange and Brown.
Beam would be the worst event for the Falcons, but senior Jholeen Ponce, Guy, and Chronister gave the Falcons some hope. Ponce finished tied for fourth by scoring a 9.675. Guy and Chronister finished behind her in seventh and eighth place, respectively, with scores of 9.525 and 9.050. Shire would take this event also, with a score of 9.800. She would go on to win the all-around with a total score of 39.150.
Floor allowed the team to end on a good note as they placed in second and fourth place. Guy and Satterlee both scored a 9.825, followed by Balzer with a 9.800. Guy finished the night third in the all-around with a score of 38.450, placing her sixth on the all-around all-time list.
This was Beach's first meet at the helm but had no trouble adjusting to her new position. "I have been with this program for four years now so being the head coach was no different. I have tried to change the direction of this program and it is coming along. I am really excited for our MAC opener next week."
Next week will be parent's night for the Falcons who host Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan. The meet will be at 7:00 p.m. inside the Eppler Complex. After that the team will take to the road for a three meet streak.
"We are going to relight heavily on our new athletes. We have leaned a lot from this meet; overall we did a good job tonight."
