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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Coach Kerrie's Post Illinois State Meet Blog
January 26, 2009 | Gymnastics
Jan. 26, 2009
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Head coach Kerrie Beach's thoughts on the Falcons' non-conference meet against Illinois State.
Heading into this competition, we had a short week of training. We worked hard to correct some mistakes from our home competition, particularly on balance beam. Bringing a small travel squad, we would be missing the presence of Queenita Gamble due to a toe injury, although I expect her to return for our next meet at Eastern Michigan.
The team definitely approached the meet with a great attitude. It was almost like we were the only team in the gym, despite a gym filled with Illinois State supporters. I feel we are making strides with the mental aspect of competing and that should carry over to our performances.
Our bar team did a nice job getting us started. Our only missed routine came from Lexi Psichopaidas. Both Lexi and Michelle Luchini have rotated in and out of the exhibition spot and competitive spot and we are waiting for one of them to step up as the most consistent. Breanne Guy had the high score of the evening with a 9.75.
Vault was successful with all six gymnasts landing well. Freshmen Dawn Christman and Andrea Kinzer did a great job earning a 9.725 and a 9.75, respectively. We did feel we were fighting some of the judging on this event but we reminded our athletes that they are not in control of the scoring and that they need to focus on what they competed compared to what they do in practice.
Despite a very hard floor exercise surface, the team looked ready to go. Once again, Andrea Kinzer and sophomore Kasey Fillmore got our line up started. Morgan Balzer stepped in for Queenita Gamble and struggled with her first and last pass, however it is amazing she was out there for us considering she just returned to practice two weeks ago. Dawn Christman did an amazing job with a 9.675. Jenna Wirtanen missed her last pass, uncharacteristically. Breanne Guy really stepped up and scored a 9.65.
As we went into beam, I asked the athletes to focus on getting their own minds prepared for competition. Our first four athletes all hit their routines, which was a huge improvement from last weekend. Katie Follett, a senior, scored well with a 9.675. Kasey Fillmore did a nice job, scoring a 9.65 and senior Jholeen Ponce backed up the beam team with a 9.6.
It was a close finish. Illinois State edged us with a 191.675 to our 190.8. We still have work to do on floor and beam. We are looking forward to a full week of practice to prepare for our Sunday meet at Eastern Michigan. We are hopeful that Queenie Gamble and Molly McKinnon will be able step up this week and help on both floor and beam. Meanwhile, top all-arounder Breanne Guy will be resting this week while she heals a muscle strain so we'll see if Bre will be ready by Sunday.
Our next three meets are all MAC opponents so we will really be working to put our absolute best line ups out there. Once again, please come out February 7th at 4pm in Anderson Arena when we take on Kent State. Roll Along!
