Eastern Michigan Athletics
Gymnastics Opens Season at WMU
1/15/2009 5:21:55 PM | Gymnastics
EMU will take Western Michigan Sunday, Jan. 18, in Kalamazoo, Mich.
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team will finally get its first taste of competition this weekend, as the Eagles head to Kalamazoo, Mich., Sunday, Jan. 18, for a conference match-up against Western Michigan University.
LAST YEAR'S MEETING: In last year's dual meet, the Eagles registered a 193.075-193.000 win over the Broncos at Warner Gymnasium. Mickayla Balow (Blaine, Minn.-Spring Lake Park High) helped EMU rally from behind when she carded a 9.800 in the floor exercise, a personal season-high.
MAC PRESEASON POLL: The Mid-American Conference announced its preseason poll for the upcoming 2009 season, and the Eagles were picked to finish fourth in the conference. The Golden Flashes of Kent State University were picked as the preseason favorite to win both the MAC regular season and championship meet.
LUCKY NUMBER 27: The 2009 season marks the 27th season for EMU head coach Steve Wilce. Through his tenure, Wilce has earned Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year honors three times (1987, 1989, and 1992) and six of his gymnasts have earned MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year honors. His athletes have also been recognized for their performances in the classroom as well. In 2008, the Eagles had 11 gymnasts named to the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) scholar-athlete team.
SAVE THE DATE: The team returns to the friendly confines of Warner Gymnasium Sunday, Feb. 1, for its home opener when they take on the Falcons of Bowling Green State University at 2 p.m. Including the MAC Championship meet, the Eagles posted a 2-1 mark against the Falcons last season, their one loss being a 191.950-191.525 defeat in the 2008 season opener.
THE FAB FOUR: The Eagles have four seniors on this year's squad, including Stefanie James (West Windsor, N.J.-WW--P North), Monica Lucas (Winston-Salem, N.C.-Reynolds), Maureen Moss (Gurnee, Ill.-Warren Township), and Duyen Zu Vuong (Ottawa, Ont.-DeLasalle).
FIRST YEAR EAGLES: The Eagles have seven freshmen on this year's squad, including Tarah Pekich (New Boston, Mich.-Huron High) and Melissa Sochacki (Armada, Mich.-Cardinal Mooney), who both red-shirted last season, and newcomers Kelli Fisher (Dayton, Ohio-Northmont), Amanda Fuller (Hamilton, Ont.-St. Mary's), Tracie Tomashiro (Honolulu, Hawaii-Kalani), Sabrina Thomas (Roswell, Ga.-Eaton Academy), and Stacie Wood (Brantford, Ont.-Brantford Collegiate Inst.).
HEADING OUT WEST: The team will have the opportunity to face some of the nation's best gymnasts when they travel to the West Coast in late February for three meets. The team begins its road trip in Seattle, Wash. for a meet at the University of Washington, which includes the UW Huskies, the Beavers from Oregon State University, and the Fighting Illini from the University of Illinois. As a team, Oregon State placed second at the Pacific-10 Conference Championships and posted a sixth place finish at the NCAA Championships last season, while Washington and Illinois both sent gymnasts to the NCAA Championships. The Eagles will stay in Seattle for two meets, Feb. 24 and 27, against the Falcons from Seattle Pacific University.
