Falcons Score Season-High in Loss to NIU

Saturday, February 11

Bowling Green, Ohio

4 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

193.975

194.775

Northern Illinois

Photo by: Doug Sampson

February 11, 2012 | Gymnastics

By: by BGSU Athletic Communications

COMPLETE RESULTS
PHOTO GALLERY

The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team dropped a 194.775-193.975 decision to Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon inside Anderson Arena. The score was a season-high for the Falcons.

BGSU finished first in three of four events and had a second and third-place finish in the all-around in the loss

Before the meet even began head coach Kerrie Beach had her hands full. Due to some technical difficulties, coach Beach was called on to sing the National Anthem and got a standing ovation from the entire crowd.

The crowd spent the rest of the meet on their feet as well, watching BGSU soar to their season-high score.

The Falcons opened with a 48.825 on vault, capturing the top-three scores. Freshman Jamilah Ali won the event, scoring a 9.825, with Dawn Christman and Danielle Wishart each registering a 9.825. Lacey Swords was fifth with a 9.750.

In rotation two the Falcons moved over to bars, an event that has haunted the team all season, but the Falcons may have turned a corner. In eight performances, the Falcons "stuck" seven of them, roaring to a season-high 48.300. Sophomore Megan Harrington led the team with 9.750.

BGSU had a small slip up on beam, forcing the team to record one fall, but even with the mistake the Falcons still managed to score 47.900 with some help from Megan Valentini, who finished with a 9.750 to win the event. Christman and Wishart finished in a tie for fourth with a 9.675.

In rotation four the Falcons once again brought the crowd to their feet, scoring a 48.950, their second-best mark of the season. Christman had the highlight of the meet, registering a career-best 9.900 to lap the field. Wishart and Valentini finished fifth and sixth with a 9.825 and 9.775.

Harrington finished second (38.450) and Gina Locigano (38.275) was third in the all-around.

The Falcons return to action on Feb. 18, with a trip to Pittsburgh.