Bowling Green State University Athletics
Gymnastics Hosts Battle of the Birds in Home Opener
January 15, 2009 | Gymnastics
Jan. 15, 2009
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO - Head coach Kerrie Beach and the Falcons are set to open their new nest and home in Anderson Arena with a "Battle of the Birds" as they host Ball State on Sunday (Jan. 18) at 2:00 p.m. The Falcons own a 20-12 all-time record against the Cardinals and hold a 23-11 record in home openers.
Complete Gymnastics Ball State Notes in PDF Format 
THIS WEEK'S MATCH-UP ON THE MAT
Falcons vs. Cardinals • (1/18 • 2:00 p.m.)
The Falcons will host the Ball State Cardinals for their 2009 season home opener in Anderson Arena ... the Cardinals are currently undefeated (1-0) after winning their season opener against Penn (190.725-184.350) ... the Cardinals were picked to finish seventh in the MAC, Preseason poll behind the Falcons in the MAC Preseason poll after coming off of a 1-11 overall record and 0-6 record in the MAC last season ... the this will be the Cardinals MAC season opener ... the Falcons own their all-time series 20-12 over the Cardinals ... the Falcons are on a two meet winning streak against the Cardinals and have won seven of the last eight competitions between the teams with a record of 7-2 in the millennium ... the Orange and Brown have faced the Cardinals in four season home openers taking victories in all of the meets (2005, 1990, 1988, 1984) ... the last meeting between the two teams was last season (Feb. 8, 2008) where the Falcons flew by the Cardinals 188.100-187.050.
FALCONS IN HOME OPENERS
The Falcons have protected their nest with a 23-11 record in home openers ... since 2000 the Falcons have owned an 8-1 record, including eight straight home opener victories from 2000-2007.
FALCONS BUILD A NEW NEST FOR 2009
The Falcon gymnasts have built a new nest in Anderson Arena for all home competitions starting in 2009. The Falcons will host their home opener on Sunday, Jan. 18 against Ball State at 2:00 p.m. This season will be the first time that all home gymnastics meets will be held in Anderson Arena.
Admission Prices for all home meets are $5 for Adults and $3 for Youth/Seniors/Military.
GUY OPENS SEASON WITH A BANG
Junior Breanne Guy opened the 2009 season against NIU with a bang recording a career high 38.975 in the all-around, the fourth best all-around score in BG history. Guy finished in the top-two of three events, including a first place finish on vault as she stuck a 9.875 tying her career high and the fourth best vault score in program history.
FILLMORE BEAMS HER WAY TO FIRST
Kasey Fillmore, a red-shirt freshman, finally got her debut as a Falcon this past weekend against Northern Illinois where she recorded her first collegiate win with a first place finish on the balance beam. After being sidelined due to injury last season Fillmore came out strong in her first collegiate meet scoring a 9.750 on beam and 9.575 on bars.
FALCONS FALL TO HUSKIES IN SEASON OPENER
Despite the Falcons' strongest season opener showing since 2004 head coach Kerrie Beach and the Falcons fell to the Northern Illinois Huskies, 193.450-191.875 in their 2009 season opener (Jan. 11). The Falcons recorded six individual top three finishes, including two number one performances from junior Breanne Guy on the vault tying her career high 9.875 and from red-shirt freshman Kasey Fillmore on the balance beam with a 9.750.
FALCON SEASON OUTLOOK
The Falcons have a history of starting of the season right as they are 19-15 in their season openers. The Orange and Brown have also been successful kicking off their MAC seasons as they hold a 16-12 record in conference openers.
FALCONS FULLY LOADED WITH VETERANS
The 2009 BGSU gymnastics team is fully loaded with veterans returning 16 gymnasts squad. The returnees include 2008 second team All-MAC selection and NCAA Regional qualifier Breanne Guy, co-captain Jholeen Ponce and co-captain and 2007 second team All-MAC selection Morgan Balzer.
FALCONS AGAINST THE MAC
The Falcons own four of the six all-time series against their MAC opponents. The Falcons lead Ball State (20-12), Eastern Michigan (18-17), Northern Illinois (9-5) and Western Michigan (23-7-1). The only MAC teams to lead the Orange and Brown in their all-time series are Central Michigan (13-21) and Kent State (11-38-1).
