After impressive victories the past two weekends, BGSU’s gymnastics team is starting to gain some attention in the Mid-American Conference. The combination of solid upper classmen with talented freshmen has the Falcons on the right track.

This past week, freshman Megan Chronister was named MAC gymnast of the week after she established career marks on bars (9.400) and the floor (9.475). Her score on the beam (9.575) earned second place and was important in the Falcons victor at Northern Illinois Sunday.

“The freshmen have really been amazing this season,” said senior Karly Yohe. “They have given us the depth we needed to compete on a higher level.”

Coach Dan Connelly agreed. “They [the freshman] have been responsible for helping this team improve as much as they have. We have pulled it together overall and we need to just perform and stay healthy.”

Junior Jholeen Ponce continues to improve week by week as she placed her name on BGSU’s all-time highest scores list with her performance on the vault last weekend. Her score of 9.825 ties her for fifth all-time at BGSU. The junior has improved each week in the event and also had an instrumental part in the team victory when she recorded a 9.675 on the beam.

“She has potential to be tremendous,” Connelly said. “This is the girl we recruited to come here and perform. She is coming into her own and avoiding injuries that have hurt her in the past.”

The NIU victory came a week after the Falcons beat defending MAC Champion Western Michigan. With the team winning its past two meets, confidence is high. The team is living up to its talent level and the team looks vastly improved.

“This year’s team is a lot closer than in past years,” said senior Allison Swafford. “We all get along and this year is truly a team effort every meet.”

“Injuries have plagued us in the past,” Connelly said. “This year, we have done better with that and that gives us a chance to compete with everyone.”

Yohe credits a “much tougher” conditioning in the preseason as the reason this team is in better shape this season.

Saturday will give the Falcons another chance to prove their might in the MAC when Ball State comes to town. The meet will be held at Eppler Center on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

The streaking Falcons look to win their third straight conference meet and stay undefeated at home this season.

“We expect Ball State to come out and give us everything they got,” said Swafford. “We are going to do our best and hopefully that helps us win another MAC meet.”