Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Tabbed For Third Place MAC Finish
January 03, 2014 | Gymnastics
Cleveland, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team was picked to finish in third in the Mid-American Conference in the league's official preseason poll, as voted on by league coaches. The Falcons finished third a year ago and return two individual MAC Champions as well as 2013 MAC Coach of the Year Kerrie Turner.
The preseason poll is an indicator of the progress the Falcons continue to make under Turner. The team improved from 0-6 in conference action in 2011 to 1-5 in 2012 and then to 3-3 in 2013. BGSU placed fifth at the MAC Championships and Turner was named Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the meet. Jamilah Ali, then just a sophomore, won the individual championship in the vault a year after being named the league's Freshman of the Year. Alyssa Nocella, a freshman a year ago, won the individual championship on balance beam. Those two were just the second and third MAC individual champions under Turner, who began her head coaching tenure at BGSU in 2008.
"The coaches poll is a great opportunity to take a look at the upcoming season," Turner said. "Finishing third in the regular season last year is clearly reflected in this poll. We return the majority of our competitors from last season and added a talented freshman class. We have set our sights and expectations even higher this year and our program is looking forward to pushing the top of the standings."
The Falcons return all four gymnasts who competed in the all-around a year ago in Megan Harrington, Ali, Gina Locigno and Nocella. Harrington recorded the team's top two all-around scores with a 39.025 against both Central Michigan and Western Michigan.
On vault, the team's top three scorers return in Ali, Harrington and Amanda Lievendag. On the uneven bars, Lievendag and Caroline Ellingboe represent the top two scorers from 2013. On balance beam, Ali, Nocella, Locigno and Harrington were the team's top four last year. Finally, on the floor, it was Harrington, Nocella, Locigno, Ali and Megan Valentini who posted the program's top five scores in 2013.
Defending MAC Champion Kent State was picked to win the league title again and Central Michigan was chosen second. After BGSU, Northern Illinois was selected fourth, followed by Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Ball State.
BGSU opens the season Jan. 11 at Ohio State at 4 p.m. in a triangular that includes Oregon State. The Falcons open conference action at Western Michigan Jan. 17 before the home opener Jan. 25 against Eastern Michigan at 4 p.m. in Anderson Arena.
The preseason poll is an indicator of the progress the Falcons continue to make under Turner. The team improved from 0-6 in conference action in 2011 to 1-5 in 2012 and then to 3-3 in 2013. BGSU placed fifth at the MAC Championships and Turner was named Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the meet. Jamilah Ali, then just a sophomore, won the individual championship in the vault a year after being named the league's Freshman of the Year. Alyssa Nocella, a freshman a year ago, won the individual championship on balance beam. Those two were just the second and third MAC individual champions under Turner, who began her head coaching tenure at BGSU in 2008.
"The coaches poll is a great opportunity to take a look at the upcoming season," Turner said. "Finishing third in the regular season last year is clearly reflected in this poll. We return the majority of our competitors from last season and added a talented freshman class. We have set our sights and expectations even higher this year and our program is looking forward to pushing the top of the standings."
The Falcons return all four gymnasts who competed in the all-around a year ago in Megan Harrington, Ali, Gina Locigno and Nocella. Harrington recorded the team's top two all-around scores with a 39.025 against both Central Michigan and Western Michigan.
On vault, the team's top three scorers return in Ali, Harrington and Amanda Lievendag. On the uneven bars, Lievendag and Caroline Ellingboe represent the top two scorers from 2013. On balance beam, Ali, Nocella, Locigno and Harrington were the team's top four last year. Finally, on the floor, it was Harrington, Nocella, Locigno, Ali and Megan Valentini who posted the program's top five scores in 2013.
Defending MAC Champion Kent State was picked to win the league title again and Central Michigan was chosen second. After BGSU, Northern Illinois was selected fourth, followed by Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Ball State.
BGSU opens the season Jan. 11 at Ohio State at 4 p.m. in a triangular that includes Oregon State. The Falcons open conference action at Western Michigan Jan. 17 before the home opener Jan. 25 against Eastern Michigan at 4 p.m. in Anderson Arena.
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BGSU Gymnastics Postmeet Interviews 3.15
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BG Gymnastics Postmeet 2.15 vs NIU
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