When Dawn Christman injured her knee on her vault landing, coach Kerrie Beach had to bring the team together and keep them focused on the task at hand.
While it was traumatic for the team to witness her injury, the Falcons still had the majority of the meet to finish.
Despite Beach’s attempts to keep the team focused, the Falcons still came up short as they fell to Eastern Michigan on Sunday, 192.925-190.050.
The Falcons posted two top-three finishes but injures hindered the team throughout the meet.
The team was without top all-arounder Breanne Guy on beam and floor who had a peroneal strain in her leg and Queenita Gamble on vault and floor who had a big toe sprain. With these top competitors out, other gymnasts had to step up and try to get the job done.
“It is always a challenge to make adjustments to the lineup but that is why it is a team sport,” Beach said. “We just have to have as many athletes ready as possible on every event in case of injury.”
The Falcons started off the meet on the bars where Kasey Fillmore had a career high score of 9.775, tying for second place. Landing a 9.750, Amber Brewer, finished in fourth.
For their next rotation, BG moved onto the vault. While it was challenging to watch their teammate Christman’s injury, the vaulting lineup still had a job to do. Jenna Wirtanen led the Falcons with a 9.600, tying for fifth place.
The team went to the floor without Gamble and Guy, but had to add Christman to the list of athletes who could not compete. With only five gymnasts competing, freshman Andrea Kinzer won her second career event – tying for a win – with a 9.750.
Finishing off the meet, the team headed to the balance beam, which has been their toughest event of the season thus far. The beam lineup, however, scored higher than they have in the past two meets.
Leading the way for the Falcons were Gamble and Megan Chronister who both recorded a 9.700, tying for fourth place.
There has been a disconnect between practice and competition. In practice, the team has no problems landing their routines, but it is not completely carrying over to the meets.
“I am certain this is a situation of mental preparation,” Beach said. “Physically, these athletes have no problem performing the routines, but mentally they need to get stronger.”
“This week we will be practicing the line-ups we will do in the meet. We will be very focused on trying to create situations full of adrenaline and pressure, working on mental toughness.”
This Saturday at 4 p.m., the Falcons will take on Kent State in Anderson Arena, the first of a three meet home stand. This is a very important meet for the team as Kent State was projected to win the Mid-American Conference this season.
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Contact sports reporter Chris Sojka at [email protected].
