Jovannah East Wins All-Around As Falcons Open Season

Saturday, January 11

Bowling Green, Ohio

4:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

193.325

194.875

Eastern Michigan

Photo by: Alex Streff

January 11, 2020 | Gymnastics

By: by Jason Knavel, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications

Bowling Green, Ohio – Senior Jovannah East scored a 39.300 to win the all-around in Bowling Green's first gymnastics meet of the season. The Falcons, however, lost to Mid-American Conference rival Eastern Michigan 194.875-193.325.

A youthful Falcon team unveiled a lineup in which 15 of the 24 rotations were taken by gymnasts who had never competed collegiately in the event. Despite the inexperience, BGSU went into the final rotation in striking distance to defeat the Eagles. But the Falcons got off to a slow start on the floor and were unable to recover.

LINKS TO KNOW

Full Results

EAST WINS ALL-AROUND

Senior Jovannah East showed that she is ready to build upon a legendary career during her final season in the Orange and Brown, opening with a 39.300 all-around score.
East took medalist honors on the vault (9.850) and floor (9.875). She also finished third on bars (9.750) and fourth on balance beam (9.825).
She recorded all-around scores better than 39.300 just twice all of last year and her career-best of 39.425 was within reach.

VAULT

Bowling Green recorded five scores of at least 9.525 on vault.
Jovannah East led the Falcons with a 9.850 and Samantha Marion, competing for the first time in her collegiate career, posted a 9.825.
Elena Lawson added a 9.575, followed by Lily Harsch at 9.550 and Taylor Jensen at 9.525.

BARS

For the second consecutive event, Bowling Green posted five scores of at least 9.500.
Jovannah East led the team at 9.750 and Lily Harsch recorded a 9.700.
Elena Lawson had a 9.625, followed by Taylor Jensen at 9.600 and Katelyn Goldstrom at 9.500.

BEAM

Samantha Marion and Jovannah East anchored the Falcons, taking the final two spots in the lineup. Marion posted a 9.875 and East nailed down a 9.825.
Freshman Olivia Williams, competing for the first time in her collegiate career, led off the event with a 9.825.
Tess Muir, returning from an injury that limited her to just four meets a year ago, posted a personal best 9.775. She was followed by Lily Harsch at 9.675.

FLOOR

The Falcons got off to a slow start on the floor, trailing Eastern Michigan by just .300 points heading into the final rotation. But Taylor Jensen, Elena Lawson and Jovannah East closed out the meet in impressive fashion.
Jensen led off with a 9.825 and Lawson followed with a personal best 9.850. East anchored the event with a 9.875.
Katelyn Goldstrom added a 9.500 for the Falcons.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Junior Samantha Marion had not competed for the Falcons in her first two years in the program. However, she started 2020 in a big way with medalist honors on balance beam (9.875) and a second place finish on vault (9.825).
Elena Lawson finished second on the floor exercise with a score of 9.850. That was a career-best for the 2019 Academic All-MAC performer.
Freshman Lily Harsch competed in all four rotations in her first collegiate meet, totaling a 37.575 all-around score.
BGSU's 193.325 team score was a much better start than a year ago when the Falcons opened the year with a 189.675 at Alabama. It is the team's second-best start in the past five years.

FROM COACH KERRIE TURNER

"I think the team came out strong. If we can just keep moving our progress along, we'll be in good shape. I knew we'd need to be patient at the beginning of this year. But the team showed good character. They fought through the finish. I think the future is really bright for this group."
"I feel like Jovannah (East) is more prepared on every event than she's ever been. Bars is something we've usually had to add in a little later in the season. This was a great way to start the year."

UP NEXT

Bowling Green heads east to compete in a four-way meet at Rutgers Saturday at 2:00 pm. The Falcons will also see Minnesota and Ursinus.
BGSU does not return home until hosting a triangular with Illinois State and Temple on Feb. 15 at 2:00 pm.