Bowling Green State University Athletics
Coach Kerrie's Post Ball State Meet Blog
January 19, 2009 | Gymnastics
Jan. 19, 2009
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Head coach Kerrie Beach's thoughts on the Falcons' home opening win over Ball State (Jan 18). The Falcons soared past the Cardinals 189.575-187.325.
Our first home competition resulted in a win over Ball State this past Sunday with team scores of 189.575 for BGSU and 187.325 for Ball State. Perhaps just as exciting was being in Anderson Arena with an awesome home crowd. The fans really got the team pumped up for an exciting competition, despite a late start due to a delayed arrival by a couple of the officials.
Vault had some highlights, including the debut of senior, Jenna Wirtanen's, tsuk layout full vault for a 9.7. Andrea Kinzer and Breanne Guy both did a great job with their yurchenko layout fulls for 9.675 and 9.8 scores respectively. The judging was tight on vault so we knew we really need to step up on bars.
On bars, senior Jholeen Ponce started us off with a solid routine, followed by an equally solid set by junior Megan Chronister. Sophomore Kasey Fillmore nailed her giant full-tchachev combination and her double layout dismount for a 9.725. Junior Amber Brewer scored the highest bar score of the afternoon with a 9.75. Lastly, Breanne Guy, a junior, performed a huge geinger and a double layout dismount for a 9.65. The bar team is really looking fantastic!
Beam was an area of disappointment after having such a great week of training. Some bright moments came from senior Katie Follett and junior Megan Chronister who both performed solid triple series. Unfortunately, falls prevailed for the rest of the competitors and this will definitely be an area that we will focus on prior to our next competition.
Floor was an area that we struggled with last week and we definitely saw a turn around at this competition. Freshman Andrea Kinzer had a fantastic start with a 9.75 and the highest floor score of the afternoon. Sophomore Kasey Fillmore debuted her floor routine this week with a solid 9.725. Junior Queenita Gamble made a positive change to her last tumbling pass for a solid 9.625.
Overall, it wasn't the prettiest win but it is still a win. I am looking forward to this team putting all four events together. We have seen it in practice and now we need to see the team be more confident and more aggressive on the competition floor.
It is truly a thrill to have all four home meets in Anderson Arena this season. I have to give a special thanks to the BGSU Cheerleaders for helping us move all the equipment in and out of our practice facility, along with the other staff that made it all happen.
Check back in with me for our next blog after our away meet at Illinois State University on January 23rd. Our next home meet is Saturday, February 7th at 4:00pm against MAC favorite, Kent State in Anderson Arena. We need everyone and their neighbor to come and cheer on the Falcons! I'll see you at the meet! Roll Along!
