Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
#BreakingBoundaries: A Regular Season to Remember
3/16/2016 2:47:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Eagles had a fantastic regular season, highlighted by many broken records
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The No. 24 Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team recently wrapped up their regular season, and are now looking forward to the Mid-American Conference Championship, March 19. Leading up to this point, the Eagles have had a year to remember, as numerous records have fallen and accolades have been earned.
This season, the team has been taking the hashtag 'Breaking Boundaries' to heart, consistently improving and raising the bar. Despite all the broken records and honors, the team has maintained a hard-working, blue-collar mentality in which the focus is just on improving, rather than scoring higher.
"For us, breaking records isn't something we focus on," explained Head Coach Jay Santos. "Breaking records and setting new boundaries and raising the level of the team is something we talk about, but it's not the focus at practices or at meets. We never walk into a meet saying 'Let's break the record again.' We focus on the performance, and on the details. We focus on making sure we are taking care of the little things that we need to keep working on and fixing, and performing those routines a little bit better and stronger. That's what it comes down to. When we're focusing on those things, everything else falls in line and takes care of itself.
To begin, the Eagles accumulated a regular season record of 15-3-1, marking the most wins in program history. The team also defeated Big Ten opponent Maryland twice, while tying Ohio State as well. Additionally, the Green and White totaled a MAC record of 5-1, which was the most MAC wins by the Eagles since 1997. Because of this, EMU took home runner-up honors for the regular season MAC title with victories over Ball State, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Western Michigan, and Central Michigan.
As a team, the Eagles broke the team record in three consecutive meets, culminating in the team's highest score ever. Beginning with a home victory over Central Michigan, Feb. 5, in which the team notched a 195.600, Eastern then nabbed a 195.975 on the road at Michigan, Feb. 8. The team's best meet ever came the following weekend on the road at Bowling Green, where the Green and White erupted for a huge 196.600.
From there, the Eagles posted three more scores above the previous program record of 195.575 for a total of six of the top 10 team scores in program history. Following the meet at Bowling Green, Eastern returned home and defeated Western Michigan, Feb. 19, with a 195.750. The next weekend, the Green and White traveled down to Columbus, Ohio for a tough road meet against Ohio State and Pittsburgh, ultimately tying the Buckeyes with a score of 195.800. To close the season, Eastern notched their second 196 in school history with a 196.250 home victory over the Chippewas of Central Michigan and the Southeast Missouri State RedHawks.
Throughout the year, the team accumulated a total of 16 top-10 event scores in the EMU record books, including a whopping seven on beam. EMU posted new program records on both bars and beam with scores of 49.225 and 49.275, respectively. Overall, the 2016 squad now owns three of the top-10 vault scores, five of the top-10 on bars, seven of the top-10 beam scores, one of the top-10 floor scores, and the top six team scores in program history.
The Eagles had a number of incredible individual performances throughout the season as well. This year's team posted 33 scores that now rank in the top-25 of the EMU record books, including the second highest on bars and beam. Sophomore Kendall Valentin (Holmdel, N.J. – Holmdel) scored a huge 9.925 on bars to take the No. 2 spot, while junior Natalie Gervais (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Sturgeon Heights) holds the No. 2 beam spot with a 9.925. Sophomore Rachel Slocum (Holly Springs, N.C. – Holly Springs) scored a 9.925 on vault as well, putting her in a tie for eighth in EMU history. Additionally, sophomore Catie Conrad (Brighton, Mich. – Brighton) scored a 39.35 in the all-around, which is the team's highest all-around score since 2003 and ranks No. 7 in program history.
Finally, the Eagles had a number of conference awards throughout the season as well. Slocum was named MAC Specialist of the Week twice, while Valentin earned MAC Gymnast of the Week and Scholar Athlete of the Week honors to open the season. Junior Lacey Rubin (Plainview, N.Y. – Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy) also earned Specialist of the Week honors at one point. At the conclusion of the regular season, Slocum and Valentin were named First Team All-MAC, with Conrad nabbing Second Team All-MAC honors.
Mathematically, the Green and White are also locked in for their first NCAA Regionals appearance in program history. After coming up just short last season in the 37th spot, the Eagles have been ranked within the top-25 for seven weeks this season, ultimately concluding the regular season as No. 24 in the nation. Heading into the postseason, the team looks to maintain their focus on consistent improvement at both the MAC Championships, March 19, as well as NCAA Regionals.
This season, the team has been taking the hashtag 'Breaking Boundaries' to heart, consistently improving and raising the bar. Despite all the broken records and honors, the team has maintained a hard-working, blue-collar mentality in which the focus is just on improving, rather than scoring higher.
"For us, breaking records isn't something we focus on," explained Head Coach Jay Santos. "Breaking records and setting new boundaries and raising the level of the team is something we talk about, but it's not the focus at practices or at meets. We never walk into a meet saying 'Let's break the record again.' We focus on the performance, and on the details. We focus on making sure we are taking care of the little things that we need to keep working on and fixing, and performing those routines a little bit better and stronger. That's what it comes down to. When we're focusing on those things, everything else falls in line and takes care of itself.
To begin, the Eagles accumulated a regular season record of 15-3-1, marking the most wins in program history. The team also defeated Big Ten opponent Maryland twice, while tying Ohio State as well. Additionally, the Green and White totaled a MAC record of 5-1, which was the most MAC wins by the Eagles since 1997. Because of this, EMU took home runner-up honors for the regular season MAC title with victories over Ball State, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Western Michigan, and Central Michigan.
As a team, the Eagles broke the team record in three consecutive meets, culminating in the team's highest score ever. Beginning with a home victory over Central Michigan, Feb. 5, in which the team notched a 195.600, Eastern then nabbed a 195.975 on the road at Michigan, Feb. 8. The team's best meet ever came the following weekend on the road at Bowling Green, where the Green and White erupted for a huge 196.600.
From there, the Eagles posted three more scores above the previous program record of 195.575 for a total of six of the top 10 team scores in program history. Following the meet at Bowling Green, Eastern returned home and defeated Western Michigan, Feb. 19, with a 195.750. The next weekend, the Green and White traveled down to Columbus, Ohio for a tough road meet against Ohio State and Pittsburgh, ultimately tying the Buckeyes with a score of 195.800. To close the season, Eastern notched their second 196 in school history with a 196.250 home victory over the Chippewas of Central Michigan and the Southeast Missouri State RedHawks.
Throughout the year, the team accumulated a total of 16 top-10 event scores in the EMU record books, including a whopping seven on beam. EMU posted new program records on both bars and beam with scores of 49.225 and 49.275, respectively. Overall, the 2016 squad now owns three of the top-10 vault scores, five of the top-10 on bars, seven of the top-10 beam scores, one of the top-10 floor scores, and the top six team scores in program history.
The Eagles had a number of incredible individual performances throughout the season as well. This year's team posted 33 scores that now rank in the top-25 of the EMU record books, including the second highest on bars and beam. Sophomore Kendall Valentin (Holmdel, N.J. – Holmdel) scored a huge 9.925 on bars to take the No. 2 spot, while junior Natalie Gervais (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Sturgeon Heights) holds the No. 2 beam spot with a 9.925. Sophomore Rachel Slocum (Holly Springs, N.C. – Holly Springs) scored a 9.925 on vault as well, putting her in a tie for eighth in EMU history. Additionally, sophomore Catie Conrad (Brighton, Mich. – Brighton) scored a 39.35 in the all-around, which is the team's highest all-around score since 2003 and ranks No. 7 in program history.
Finally, the Eagles had a number of conference awards throughout the season as well. Slocum was named MAC Specialist of the Week twice, while Valentin earned MAC Gymnast of the Week and Scholar Athlete of the Week honors to open the season. Junior Lacey Rubin (Plainview, N.Y. – Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy) also earned Specialist of the Week honors at one point. At the conclusion of the regular season, Slocum and Valentin were named First Team All-MAC, with Conrad nabbing Second Team All-MAC honors.
Mathematically, the Green and White are also locked in for their first NCAA Regionals appearance in program history. After coming up just short last season in the 37th spot, the Eagles have been ranked within the top-25 for seven weeks this season, ultimately concluding the regular season as No. 24 in the nation. Heading into the postseason, the team looks to maintain their focus on consistent improvement at both the MAC Championships, March 19, as well as NCAA Regionals.
Players Mentioned
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
V,BB,FX
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ GymnasticsCinematic Highlights: MAC Gymnastics Championships
Sunday, March 23
Cinematic Highlights: Gymnastics vs WMU + Wilberforce
Friday, February 28
Cinematic Highlights: Gymnastics vs. Kent State
Tuesday, January 28
Cinematics Highlights: Gymnastics Golden Girls Classic
Saturday, January 18