The Falcons gymnastics team continues to roll along as they defeated Ball State this weekend 194.150 to 193.025 to advance to 3-0 in Mid-American Conference play matching last year in conference win total.
With this win, the Falcons continue to push for first place in the conference and set the tone for the rest of the season with the help of all gymnasts and coaches working together pushing each other to do whatever they can to help the team win.
“They understand that constructive feedback from one another will make them better. Great teams must have accountability within the team, not just from the coaching staff. At the end of the day, the gymnasts expect greatness from one another and they trust each other to get the job done,” said coach Kerrie Turner.
The players take those words to heart, especially freshman Lauren Feely, who won her first all-around collegiate title this weekend to help lead the Falcons to a victory. Feely dominated all four competitions scoring a 9.600 or better in everyone and getting a new career best in the floor exercise with a 9.725.
“It feels amazing, I never thought that I would be able to have this experience and the team is so amazing, I just love being a part of it and it feels great to help them win and it is just an amazing feeling,” said Lauren Feely.
Feely did not do it all by herself as four Falcons had a personal best day. Alyssa Nocella scored a 9.800 on the bars tying her best performance. Rachel Reis and Alexandria Porter scoring a 9.750 on the bars with Porter scoring her career best on the event and Reis tying her best. Gina Locigno tied her best performance on the vault scoring a 9.750 on the apparatus.
These performances helped to put Ball State’s first MAC win out of reach as BG seemed to get better and better as the meet went on. Especially with these young gymnasts in Nocella, Feely, and Rachel Reis who seem to be playing like upper class gymnasts and standing out, as of right now, amongst the younger acrobats.
“Lauren, Rachel and Alyssa are great examples of our vision. However, it does take a team to create a growing and successful program. The leadership from our upperclassmen has helped our younger gymnast’s transition well and prepare for our high expectations,” said Turner.
Coach Turner, having self-confidence in these young players really shows how much she trusts them to perform like they have been competing collegiality for several years. It keeps the players self-esteem up and the gymnasts drive to keep winning throughout the rest of the season. As she has helped improve this Falcons squad from an 3-3 conference record last year, and a 1-5 record the year before.
After this meet the Falcons improve to 3-2 overall and Ball State falls to 2-6 overall with an 0-3 record in MAC play. BG will take their next stand at the Chicago Style Invite in Chicago, Ill. this upcoming weekend on Feb. 7 at 8:30 p.m.
