The Falcon gymnastics team fell to Central Michigan Friday, by an overall score of 195.775 – 193.05. While the Falcons topped the Mid-American Conference opponent on beam with a season second-best, a difficult rotation on bars led to a deficit the Falcons could not overcome.
The Falcons have struggled throughout the season on the uneven bars. Friday’s opening rotation left them trailing more than 2 points behind the Chippewas with 46.45. Junior Jovannah East was the top-scorer on bars for the Falcons with a 9.55.
“We had a slow start to the meet with several errors in uneven bars. As a team, we quickly discussed how important it is to stay focused and fight for every remaining routine. The team did just that. Vault, floor and beam line-ups did very well,” coach Kerrie Turner said.
BGSU was able to bounce back in the final three events, though it was not enough to put them ahead of the Chippewas. Central Michigan’s competitors all scored at least a 9.725 on the vault; the leader with an impressive 9.9. Jovannah East and Lauren DeMeno both earned 9.8 for third place overall. Junior Taylor Worthington posted a 9.75 and has scored at least a 9.7 in all meets this year.
“What helps me stay consistent on vault is just trusting in my ability. I don’t train vault very often in practice due to pain in my Achilles, so when it comes time for meet day, I know I have to be on my game. I do a lot of mental training and really try to make the most of the limited turns I take, so I’m ready to hit a great vault in competition,” Worthington said.
East tied for first on floor exercise with 9.875, her third straight score of at least 9.875. In the final rotation on beam, the Falcons bounced back and put together a solid performance to post their second-highest score of the year at 49.05. Worthington took home first, tying her career-high with 9.9. East followed closely behind with 9.875 and took second, earning her seventh-consecutive beam score of 9.8 or higher. Sophomore Jasmine Jones competed on beam for the first time in her career and earned a 9.825.
Worthington was proud of her team’s ability to rally after the slow start and finish out the meet on a high note.
“I think what helped us towards a solid beam rotation was the total focus and confidence we had in each other. By the end of the meet, we were fired up, and you could tell everyone was focused when they got up on the beam,” she said.
Turner looks forward as the Falcons take on their final few meets.
“We will get back to work this week and focus on starting the meet strong in uneven bars. We need to continue to stay focused on the small details of each routine and building confidence.”
The Falcons travel to Oregon State next weekend to compete in a four-way meet against the host, Alaska Anchorage and San Jose State at 10 p.m. They will return home March 15 for Senior Night and round out their conference schedule.
