Eagles Avenge Early Season Loss with Victory Over Broncos

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The No. 21 Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team ran away in a home victory over in-state rival Western Michigan University today, Feb. 19. The Eagles finished with a final team score of 195.750, their third highest in program history.

"I'm really pleased," remarked Head Coach Jay Santos, "I thought we had two really good events on bars and floor, and two decent events. We were a little shaky on vault and a little soft in a couple of spots. We were a little shaky on beam, but the team fought really well. We didn't give in; we didn't just jump off. I'm pleased with the performance. The higher we set the bar, the harder it will be to keep coming back and doing this. The team is handling it well. Success is not easy to handle, but they are doing a good job."

Beginning on vault as the home team, the Green and White posted an event total of 48.675 behind four scores of 9.725 or better. Sophomore Kendall Valentin (Holmdel, N.J. – Holmdel) paced the group, finishing with a 9.8 on her yurchenko full. Just behind her, senior Kimberly Ebeyer (Greenwood, Ind. – Whiteland Community) notched a 9.75, while sophomores Julia Schwartz (Gilbert, Ariz. – Mesquite) and Rachel Slocum (Holly Springs, N.C. – Holly Springs) scored a pair of 9.725's. After one rotation, the Eagles trailed the Broncos, 48.800 – 48.675.

The Eagles quickly responded on bars, scoring a 49.150 with four scores of 9.8 or better. Junior Natalie Gervais (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Sturgeon Heights) continued her torrid two-week stretch, posting a career-best score of 9.9. Additionally, Valentin scored a 9.875 on her beautiful routine, while fellow junior Lacey Rubin (Plainview, N.Y. – Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy) kicked in a solid 9.85 of her own. Finally, junior Sydney McEachern (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Kelvin) scored a 9.8, which was a personal-best. Following two events, Eastern jumped back ahead, 97.825 – 97.550.

"It's great to finally see that routine from Natalie," explained Santos. "She's kind of been fighting it a little bit and she gets a little muscly here or there and doesn't trust her natural swing. She has great lines and great swing, but she just fights it a little bit. This was probably the closest routine to where she just let it go and stuck with it, and I think she is capable of doing that every week if she continues doing that."

Heading to their best event of the season, the Green and White notched a 48.750. Rubin had a great routine once again, scoring a meet-winning 9.8. Valentin was just behind her with a 9.775, while sophomore Catie Conrad (Brighton, Mich. – Brighton) finished with a 9.75. Gervais also pitched in a 9.725 after recovering nicely from a mid-routine wobble. The Eagles increased their lead heading to the final event, as the team held a 146.575 – 145.600 lead.

The Eagles saved the best for last, posting their highest event total on the last event. Four scores of 9.825 or better led the team to an event total of 49.175, which was the highest event score of the meet. Leading the charge for the Green and White was McEachern, who tied her career-high with a 9.875 after her beautiful routine. From there, the sophomore duo of Conrad and Slocum both finished with scores of 9.85, of which Conrad's score tied her career-best. The final Eagle to finish above a 9.8 was Ebeyer, who notched a 9.825. With all four events completed, the Eagles handily defeated the Broncos, 195.750 – 193.250,
to avenge their loss earlier this season.

The team gets back on the road next weekend, Feb. 27, traveling to Columbus, Ohio for a tri-meet with Ohio State and Pittsburgh. Action from the Buckeye State is slated to begin at 4 p.m.

Eagles Results (*denotes career high)

Team 195.750

Vault 48.675
Kendall Valentin 9.8
Kimberly Ebeyer 9.75
Julia Schwartz 9.725
Rachel Slocum 9.725
Sydney McEachern 9.675
Catie Conrad 9.575

Bars 49.150
Natalie Gervais 9.90*
Kendall Valentin 9.875
Lacey Rubin 9.85
Sydney McEachern 9.80*
Catie Conrad 9.725
Kirsten Gendron 9.70

Beam 48.750
Lacey Rubin 9.80
Kendall Valentin 9.775
Catie Conrad 9.75
Natalie Gervais 9.725
Kimberly Ebeyer 9.70
Megan Hultgren 9.675

Floor 49.175
Sydney McEachern 9.875*
Catie Conrad 9.85*
Rachel Slocum 9.85
Kimberly Ebeyer 9.825
Natalie Gervais 9.775*
Megan Marino 9.625

All-Around
Catie Conrad 38.900

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Catie Conrad

Kimberly Ebeyer

Kirsten Gendron

Natalie Gervais

Megan Hultgren

Megan Marino

Sydney McEachern

Lacey Rubin

Jules Schwartz

Rachel Slocum

Kendall Valentin

Eastern Michigan Athletics