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Bowling Green State University
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WESTERN MICHIGAN
Falcons Lose Their First MAC Meet by a Slim Margin
February 24, 2008 | Gymnastics
Feb. 24, 2008
KALAMAZOO, Michigan - On Sunday the Bowling Green State University gymnastics team was handed their first Mid-American Conference loss on the season. They fell victim to Western Michigan by a score of 193.400-193.075. This is the Falcons' second highest team score on the season, and only the second time breaking 193 since the 2004-05 season.
Head coach Kerrie Beach was disappointed in the loss, but pleased her team preformed well on the road. "We really wanted to win tonight but scoring a 193 is great for our team especially being on the road. It is just hard because we are so close to putting everything together. We just can't seem to get over the hill."
The team opened the meet on bars where they posted a new season high and the highest event score on the night at 48.500. The team was led by sophomores Morgan Balzer and Breanne Guy who both tied for first with a 9.750. This is a new season high for Balzer and it also ties her career best which was set last season. Freshman Michelle Luchini had been out of the line-up due to an injury but battled back to tie for fourth with a 9.725. Senior Jholeen Ponce also posted a new season high at 9.675 placing her tied for sixth.
"We started the meet off great on bars. Our energy was up which was good to see," said Beach. "A lot of people stepped up for us in spots tonight. Queenie was one of them on beam as was Jenna."
The team's next rotation placed them on the vault. As it has been the last few weeks the team was led by senior Jacque Bernhardt and Guy. Bernhardt tied for second with her third best score on the season at 9.800. Guy followed up in fourth with a 9.775 while Ashlee deLeeuw placed fifth with a 9.675. As a team the Orange and Brown scored 48.450.
The team carried their momentum over to floor where they posted their second highest score on the season at 48.325. Bernhardt led the team by winning the event with a 9.825, her second highest on the season. Following her and tying for second was sophomore Queenita Gamble who posted a 9.775, a new career high. Balzer claimed fourth scoring 9.750. Heading into the last event the Falcons claimed a slim .175 of a point lead.
Beam has always been a rough event for BGSU this season. As a team they posted their second highest score at 47.800. Gamble stepped up and led the team flipping to a 9.775 and claiming first. This is a new career high for Gamble. Guy tied for second with a 9.700. Junior Jenna Wirtanen stepped in and replaced Meg Satterlee, who is out with an injury, by scoring a 9.675 her highest on the season.
Guy finished the night with an all-around score of 38.575 a new career high and a second place finish.
With the loss, the Falcons fall to 3-1 in the MAC and 7-4 overall. Next week will prove to be a difficult challenge for the Orange and Brown as they travel to Kent State Friday February 29th. The meet will begin at 7:00 p.m. Following that meet the team will have 24 hours of rest before taking to the mats at Penn State. That meet will also be at 7:00 p.m.
"As a team they are more fired up then ever to beat these guys at MACs. I hope they take this energy and hunger to the road next week when we compete at Kent. We are hoping to go into this weekend with a consistent line-up and with all the pieces in place. We need to keep the tempo up the whole meet in order to get a win there. It helps that we have already competed there because we know what to expect, so we are looking for that to play in our favor."
