Host Eagles Place Sixth at the 2014 MAC Gymnastics Championships

Final Results

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team finished in sixth place with a score of 193.850 as hosts of the 2014 Mid-American Conference Championships Saturday afternoon, March 22, in the Convocation Center. Central Michigan University tallied a 196.475 to claim the conference crown, while Kent State University recorded a 195.125 for the runner-up spot.

The Falcons of Bowling Green State University placed third with a 194.625, edging out the 194.150 put up by fourth place Northern Illinois University. Ball State University took fifth due to a 194.150 as EMU and Western Michigan University rounded out the team scoring with totals of 193.850 and 191.575, respectively.

As hosts of the conference championships, the Eagles marched in to the arena to a roar from the EMU faithful that included EMU Gymnastics alumni who made the return trip to Ypsilanti to support the current team.

Eastern began the seven-team meet on beam, receiving a team score of 48.200 from the judges. Redshirt-junior Kaylee Meyers (Saint Joseph, Mo.-Central), Carrina Lo Bello (Oshawa, Ontario-McLaughlin Collegiate) and All-MAC First Team honoree Anna Willette (Pylesville, Md.-North Harford) all earned 9.700 to pace the Green and White. Shawna Ciaramella (Hamilton, Ontario-St. Mary CSS) and Kimberly Ebeyer (Greenwood, Ind.-Whiteland Community) each chipped in with a 9.550. The highest score of the day on beam came from MAC Gymnast of the Year Marie Case, who notched an impressive 9.900.

Competing in back-to-back rotations to start the meet, EMU followed its beam performance with a 48.375 on floor. Team co-captain Paulina Miller (Halifax, Nova Scotia-Citadel) and redshirt-junior Chantelle Loehner (Cary, Ill.-Cary-Grove) both completed team-high routines of 9.750, while Ciaramella added a 9.700. Junior Nikki Paterson (Oakville, Ontario-Iroquois Ridge) also helped her team out in the event with a career-high 9.650. Ball State's Denasiha Christian claimed the floor title with a 9.925.

After bye in the third rotation, Eastern was back in the competition on vault where a freshman emerged as a leader. Bianca Jordaan (Oakville, Ontario-Abbey Park) led all EMU gymnasts with a 9.800 to place fifth in the event, while Willette's mark of 9.725 followed closely behind. Also making their presence known with scores of 9.700 were Lo Bello, Miller and Ashlin Chambliss (Buford, Ga.-Mill Creek) to complete the Eagles' team score of 48.625. Case and Bowling Green's Amanda Lievendag shared the top mark on the apparatus with 9.850.

Eastern finished the conference championship meet strong by recording its highest score of the meet at 48.650 on bars. Another EMU gymnast earned a personal-best mark as junior Ariyanna Smith (Gahanna, Ohio-Lincoln) used a 9.800 for a top-10 finish. Paterson tied her career-high as well with a 9.750. Closing out the Eagles' scores with measures of 9.700 were Willette, freshman Kelsie Brooks (Winston, Ga.-Alexander) and senior team co-captain Ashley Quinton (Calgary, Alberta-Bishop McNally). Kylie Fagan from CMU earned the highest mark of the entire afternoon, a 9.950, to take first on bars.

While no Eagles competed in all four events, Case represented the Golden Flashes for the all-around title. The senior completed the meet with an all around score of 39.500.

The conclusion of the MAC Championships means an end to the 2014 season for the Green and White. However, the Eagles will await to see if any individual gymnasts will qualify for the NCAA Regional competition.

Final Team Scores
1. Central Michigan, 196.475
2. Kent State, 195.125
3. Bowling Green, 194.625
4. Northern Illinois, 194.150
5. Ball State, 193.975
6. Eastern Michigan, 193.850
7. Western Michigan, 191.575

Freshman of the Year – Lauren Feely, Bowling Green
Specialist of the Year – Jaelyn Olsen, Northern Illinois
Gymnast of the Year – Marie Case, Kent State
Senior Gymnast of the Year – Marie Case, Kent State
Coach of the Year – Brice Biggin, Kent State

Vault
5. Jordaan, Bianca 9.800
17. Willette, Anna 9.725
24. Chambliss, Ashlin 9.700
24. Lo Bello, Carrina 9.700
24. Miller, Paulina 9.700
37. Ebeyer, Kimberly 9.625

Bars
10. Smith, Ariyanna 9.800
16. Paterson, Nikki 9.750
25. Brooks, Kelsie 9.700
25. Quinton, Ashley 9.700
25. Willette, Anna 9.700
31. Lo Bello, Carrina 9.675

Beam
11. Meyers, Kaylee 9.700
11. Willette, Anna 9.700
11. Lo Bello, Carrina 9.700
28. Ciaramella, Shawna 9.550
28. Ebeyer, Kimberly 9.550
38. Gervais, Natalie 9.175

Floor
21. Miller, Paulina 9.750
21. Loehner, Chantelle 9.750
25. Ciaramella, Shawna 9.700
30. Paterson, Nikki 9.650
34. Ebeyer, Kimberly 9.525
42. Meyers, Kaylee 8.600

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Host Eagles Place Sixth at the 2014 MAC Gymnastics Championships

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