The BG gymnastics team did not count a fall on any event, but still fell to Kent State on Sunday, 196.4-193.525.
Jamilah Ali led the Falcons, scoring above 9.8 on each of her three routines. The meet marked the first time this year that the Falcons have not counted a fall.
“I thought it was an improvement from last week,” said coach Kerrie Beach. “We certainly saw more hit routines. We didn’t have to count a fall tonight, which is big for their confidence.”
The Falcons began the meet on bars, putting up five solid routines for the third consecutive week. Monica Eaton posted the high score of 9.75 in the anchor position, securing a 47.95 total on the event.
Meanwhile, Kent State got off to a hot start on the vault, scoring a 49.1 that was highlighted by Lauren Wozniak’s 9.9.
BG’s steadiness carried over to vault, as Ali and Danielle Wishart both hit 9.8 scores. Lacey Swords also contributed a solid 9.75, as the Falcons totaled 48.475.
The Falcons again missed Dawn Christman on floor exercise, as Christman is still nursing an ankle injury. Five gymnasts scored above 9.7 to lead BG to its highest event score of the day—48.75. Ali again was the top scorer with a 9.825.
BG then went to balance beam—an event that has haunted the team for much of the season. Led by Ali’s 9.8, the Falcons hit five routines to score a season-high 48.35. Freshman Chelsea Anderson was added to the lineup at the last minute, scoring 9.725 in her first meet for the Falcons.
“Chelsea’s looked great all week long,” Beach said. “I knew she had the potential to really put up a good score for us, so it was great to see her go in. I think it shows we have some good depth and it’s definitely a good sign for the future as well.”
BG’s beam performance came in spite of deafening cheers from Kent State fans, as the home team roared to a 49.3 total on floor exercise.
“The noise in here was incredible,” Beach said. “To see them not get flustered and stay focused on what we were doing was really great. They’re going to need that experience when they go to the Mid-American Conference Championship. It will be ten times as loud as it was today.”
The Falcons remain winless in the Mid-American Conference, but have yet to face Eastern Michigan. BG hosts the Eagles in its final home meet of the year on Saturday.
The last home contest also serves as Senior Night, honoring the accomplishments of BG’s lone senior, Dawn Christman.
