Falcons Open 2016 Season at ASU with Nebraska

Friday, January 8

Tempe, Ariz.

7:00 PM (MT)

Bowling Green State University

Arizona State

January 05, 2016 | Gymnastics

By: by Alexx Klein, BGSU Athletic Communications

BGSU WOMEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY SCHEDULE
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME
1/8/16	vs. Arizona State & Nebraska	9 p.m. (ET)

Bowling Green (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
at
Arizona State (0-0, 0-0 PAC 12)
University of Nebraska (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Friday, January 8, 2016; 9:00 p.m. ET
Wells Fargo Center / Tempe, Ariz.
LIVE STREAM
BGSU MEDIA GUIDE

Bowling Green, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team will open its season this Friday (Jan. 8) at 9 p.m. ET against Arizona State and the University of Nebraska. The Falcons won their season opener in 2015 against Michigan State by a score of 194.775-194.075.

#MAKINGHISTORY IN 2015
The Falcons enter the 2016 season coming off a 2015 campaign that was the team's strongest since 2002. BGSU opened the season with the program's first win over a Big Ten Conference opponent since 2004 and went on to defeat Michigan State again to secure two wins over the Big Ten across one season for the first time since 2002. The Orange and Brown scored a season-best 195.700 to defeat Kent State for the first time in Bowling Green since 1999. BGSU brings in eight newcomers to the squad and have nine returners. The Falcons graduated four seniors from last season, including Gina Locigno, Amanda Lievendag, Alexandria Porter and Jamilah Ali.

FOLLOW THE FALCONS
Fans can follow the BGSU gymnastics team on Twitter (@FalconGymn) for in-meet updates, news and notes. Additionally, Friday's meet will be streamed live from the Wells Fargo Center. Links to live video (as available) and away-meet live stats can be found at BGSUFalcons.com.

HEAD COACH'S THOUGHTS
Kerrie Turner: "I am eager to get this 2016 season started. The team is well prepared to compete at Arizona State. We will be focusing on accumulating hit routines throughout the evening and achieving a strong starting score. I will be pleased if the team looks focused, attacks the routines and truly stays together and supportive throughout the meet. We have an excellent opportunity to have a strong start and a place to build from throughout the season."

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE
The Sun Devils are led by head coach Rene Lyst and finished the 2015 season with a record of 2-11. ASU was ranked 36th this season in the preseason NACGC/W Coaches Poll. Arizona State's roster boasts six upperclassmen and five newcomers.

ABOUT NEBRASKA
The Huskers finished the 2015 season with an impressive 10-2 record in the Big 10, under the helm of Dan Kendig. Nebraska was selected to finish second in the conference, according to the Big 10 Coaches Poll, as well as chosen 11th in the NACGC/W Preseason Coaches Poll. The Huskers return six letterwinners from last season's squad, who finished eighth in the nation.

PRESEASON POLL
The Falcons were picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference in 2016 as voted on by the league's head coaches. Central Michigan was selected to win the conference, while 2015 tournament winners Kent State were chosen second. Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green followed, with Northern Illinois and Western Michigan tying for fifth and Ball State rounding out the conference.

THE MAC CHAMP IS BACK
Returner Lauren Feely became the third Falcon in as many years to win at least a share of the MAC Vault Championship, as she scored a career-best 9.900 on the event. Feely was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

NOCELLA LOOKS TO HAVE STRONG SENIOR CAMPAIGN
Last season, Alyssa Nocella was named First Team All-MAC for the second straight season, becoming the first Falcon to accomplish this feat since Marny Oestreng took home the honor across 1999-2001. She also became just the third BGSU gymnast across the last 15 years to qualify for three straight regionals. She will look to qualify for her fourth consecutive regional competition in 2016.

NEWCOMERS TAKE OVER
The 2016 BGSU roster features eight newcomers and one redshirt-freshman who will all look to compete for the first time as collegiate gymnasts in 2016. The newcomers include Julia Beyer, Rachel Creagh, Lauren De Meno, Leslie Delgado, Chelsea Eley, Erika Houser, Taylor Livingston, Katie Morsefield and Kayla Rose.

GYMNASTICS ADDITIONS
In November, head coach Kerrie Turner announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2017 season. Randi Morris, Shannon St. Jean, Alex Johnston, Taylor Worthington and Kelsi Kuprat have all committed to BGSU, and will join the team next fall. Additionally, the Falcons added Leslie Delgado to this season's squad in December.