COLUMBUS – They may have come in third place Saturday, but the BGSU gymnasts are not hanging their heads by any means.
BG’s overall score of 186.700 was not enough to get past either Kent State, which scored 189.375 points, or meet winner Ohio State which scored 190.200.
“We actually pulled things together really well,” said BG co-captain Jessica Guyer. “We got out the jitters which is always what the first meet is for.”
Guyer put forth a stellar effort, posting the best score on the vault with 9.725 to go along with a 9.525 on the beam and a 9.675 on the floor routine.
The Falcons’ best event was vault as they topped both teams’ totals in the event with the help of all six competitors, who each scored a 9.425 or better.
BG can not dwell on this loss, though, it needs to keep moving forward and learn from this weekend’s meet. Falcon coach Dan Connelly stressed the team must adjust quickly following Saturday’s meet.
“I think this will be an eye-opener,” he said. “The season is now here, we don’t have any time left, we gotta do it now.”
Jillian Stranges also had a good evening, finishing second on the beam with a 9.600 score and fourth on the vault with a 9.650. Jayme Stambaugh also performed well on the vault with a 9.700 score.
Leading the way for the Falcons on the uneven bars was Jessica McArthur with a 9.500 score, which tied for seventh place. McArthur also performed well on vault posting a 9.525.
Other than Guyer, who led the team with a 9.675, the floor routine of Candice Deacon earned a 9.600, with teammate Jacque Bernhardt posting a 9.575.
Connelly had mixed feelings about the individual events.
“I was a little encouraged by our uneven bars because I thought that was going to be our worst event, and I think vault was our best event,” he said. “But we definitely need to step things up on both the floor and the balance beam.”
When Connelly was asked if there would be adjustments made for next week he replied, “I think you’ll see some changes by next week without any doubt.”
The Falcons hope to rebound next week against Central Michigan in their home opener, which takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Eppler Center Gymnasium.
