Bowling Green State University
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Injuries Hamper Falcons Against Eagles
February 01, 2009 | Gymnastics
Feb. 1, 2009
YPSILANTI, Michigan - The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team fell short to the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 192.925-190.050 this afternoon (Feb. 1) as injuries hampered the Falcons. Despite coming into the meet with a two gymnasts limited to events due to injuries and another injury occurring during the meet the Falcons posted two top-three finishes, including freshman Andrea Kinzer's second career event win on floor exercise tying her career high 9.750 and a second place finish from Kasey Fillmore with a career high 9.775 on the uneven bars.
"It was definitely a tough day for the team," stated BGSU head coach Kerrie Beach. "It was disappointing, because the team still didn't perform to our expectations and the way they can. We are still looking to bridge the gap between the consistency and mental strength in practice to competition."
The Falcons started off the meet without Breanne Guy competing on beam or floor and Queenita Gamble competing on vault or floor. The team later suffered another injury as Dawn Christman hurt her knee on vault.
"Dawn Christman hurt her knee on vault, which I think the team had a hard time bouncing back from, seeing one of their teammates get injured like that," said Beach. "It also left us with one less gymnast on floor."
The Falcons started off the meet on bars as Fillmore led the way for the Orange and Brown swinging to a career high 9.775 tying for a second place finish. Not far behind her was Amber Brewer as she landed a 9.750, tying her career high and finishing fourth. Rounding out the top performances for the Falcons were Jholeen Ponce with a 9.625 and Michelle Luchini with a 9.575.
"Michelle Luchini stepped up on bars," said Beach. "Although it wasn't the highest score, she has put together back-to-back performances on bars the last two weeks as we were looking for that sixth person to step up on bars. Kasey did a great job today with 9.775 on bars, tying for second."
The Falcons then moved onto the vault for their next rotation, where freshman Dawn Christman suffered an injury. Senior Jenna Wirtanen stepped up to lead the Falcons on vault landing a 9.600 and tying for fifth. Right behind her for the Falcons were Morgan Balzer with a 9.525 and Breanne Guy with a 9.500.
The third rotation brought the Falcons to the floor already without Guy and Gamble but also now with only five gymnasts competing as Christman could not compete. The Falcons were led by the youth of the team as Kinzer won her second career event, tying for a win on floor. She put together a 9.750 routine, tying her career high. Wirtanen put together another strong performance scoring a 9.700, finishing fourth. Fillmore and Molly McKinnon were not far behind her with a 9.675 and 9.650 respectively. McKinnon's 9.650 on the floor was her collegiate debut as a Falcon.
The Falcons finished the meet on the balance beam, which has been their toughest event of the season thus far, but the beam line-up continued to improve upon their last two team scores. Leading the beam line-up for the Falcons were Megan Chronister and Queenita Gamble each recording a 9.700 and tying for fourth. Rounding out the top four for the Orange and Brown were Fillmore with a 9.550 and Wirtanen with a 9.475.
The Falcons expect Guy and Gamble back competing in their normal events as the team prepares to take on Mid-American Conference foe and pre-season favorite Kent State on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 4:00 p.m. in Anderson Arena. The Falcons host the Golden Flashes in the first of a three meet home stand.
