Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, March 11
Convocation Center
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
195.225
vs
194.675
Bowling Green
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Clinch First Ever MAC Regular Season Title in 195.225 - 194.675 Victory Over BG
3/11/2017 9:47:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Green and White used a strong floor rotation to secure the victory
Complete Results
Photo Gallery
Video Highlights
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The No. 25 Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team secured the Mid-American Conference Regular Season Title today, March 11, with a 195.225 – 194.675 victory over Bowling Green. The meet was close throughout, with the Eagles needing a clutch floor rotation to secure the team's first ever regular season championship.
"The energy at this meet was incredible, so a huge thank you to all the fans that packed the Convo," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "Bowling Green put up some great routines, so we really had to fight until the very end. All the girls did a great job competing today, and I loved sending the seniors off with both a win, and a regular season MAC title."
Eastern began the day on vault, posting a solid 48.750 behind a pair of scores greater than a 9.800. Both sophomore Ciara Gresham (Shiloh, Ill. – Belleville) and junior Kendall Valentin (Holmdel, N.J. – Holmdel) earned a 9.825, while junior Julia Schwartz (Gilbert, Ariz. – Mesquite) posted a 9.750. Rounding out the top-five for EMU was senior Kelsie Brooks (Winston, Ga. – Alexander) and sophomore Megan Hultgren (Rockford, Ill. – Sacred Heart Classical Center), both of whom earned a 9.675. With one rotation in the books, the Green and White led the Falcons 48.750 – 47.875.
Eastern then traveled to bars, earning yet another team total of 49-or-better on EMU's top event of the year. The Eagles totaled a 49.125, led by Valentin, who holds a top-10 ranking in the nation. The Holmdel, N.J. native notched a 9.925 for the fifth time this season, which is just shy of her new career-best of 9.950 that was set last week. Behind her, senior Lacey Rubin (Plainview, N.Y. – Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy) secured a 9.875, while fellow senior Natalie Gervais (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Sturgeon Heights) received a 9.825. Finally, sophomore Catie Conrad (Brighton, Mich. – Brighton) tacked on a 9.750, with senior Sydney McEachern (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Kelvin) matching that with a 9.750 of her own. With two rotations down, the Eagles remained in front, 97.875 – 96.700.
The Green and White then dealt with a few miscues on beam, finishing with a 48.275. The second half of the lineup turned in some strong performances, however. Valentin continued her stellar day with a big 9.875 to win the event, falling just short of her career-best 9.900. Rubin had a great routine as well, scoring a 9.800 in a tough spot following up a fall. Conrad received a 9.750, while Hultgren posted a 9.725 in the leadoff spot. Heading into the final rotation, Eastern held a slim lead, 146.150 – 145.750.
The Eagles needed a strong floor rotation to secure the victory. Eastern delivered, posting the team's second-best floor total of the season with a 49.075. Gresham turned in a career-best performance, using her powerful tumbling to notch a personal-best 9.875 to win the event. In the anchor spot, McEachern secured a clutch 9.850 to ensure the Green and White victory, while junior Megan Marino (Girard, Ohio – Howland) posted a 9.800. Finally, both Conrad and freshman Emili Dobronics (Orland Park, Ill. – Carl Sandburg) earned a pair of 9.775's. With the big floor rotation, the Eagles came away victorious by a final score of 195.225 – 194.675, which also gave the Eagles their first ever MAC Regular Season Title.
This marks the conclusion of the regular season, and the Green and White will now focus on the postseason. Next week, the Eagles head down to Bowling Green, Ohio for the MAC Championships, March 18, which EMU won last season for the second time in program history.
Photo Gallery
Video Highlights
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The No. 25 Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team secured the Mid-American Conference Regular Season Title today, March 11, with a 195.225 – 194.675 victory over Bowling Green. The meet was close throughout, with the Eagles needing a clutch floor rotation to secure the team's first ever regular season championship.
"The energy at this meet was incredible, so a huge thank you to all the fans that packed the Convo," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "Bowling Green put up some great routines, so we really had to fight until the very end. All the girls did a great job competing today, and I loved sending the seniors off with both a win, and a regular season MAC title."
Eastern began the day on vault, posting a solid 48.750 behind a pair of scores greater than a 9.800. Both sophomore Ciara Gresham (Shiloh, Ill. – Belleville) and junior Kendall Valentin (Holmdel, N.J. – Holmdel) earned a 9.825, while junior Julia Schwartz (Gilbert, Ariz. – Mesquite) posted a 9.750. Rounding out the top-five for EMU was senior Kelsie Brooks (Winston, Ga. – Alexander) and sophomore Megan Hultgren (Rockford, Ill. – Sacred Heart Classical Center), both of whom earned a 9.675. With one rotation in the books, the Green and White led the Falcons 48.750 – 47.875.
Eastern then traveled to bars, earning yet another team total of 49-or-better on EMU's top event of the year. The Eagles totaled a 49.125, led by Valentin, who holds a top-10 ranking in the nation. The Holmdel, N.J. native notched a 9.925 for the fifth time this season, which is just shy of her new career-best of 9.950 that was set last week. Behind her, senior Lacey Rubin (Plainview, N.Y. – Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy) secured a 9.875, while fellow senior Natalie Gervais (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Sturgeon Heights) received a 9.825. Finally, sophomore Catie Conrad (Brighton, Mich. – Brighton) tacked on a 9.750, with senior Sydney McEachern (Winnipeg, Manitoba – Kelvin) matching that with a 9.750 of her own. With two rotations down, the Eagles remained in front, 97.875 – 96.700.
The Green and White then dealt with a few miscues on beam, finishing with a 48.275. The second half of the lineup turned in some strong performances, however. Valentin continued her stellar day with a big 9.875 to win the event, falling just short of her career-best 9.900. Rubin had a great routine as well, scoring a 9.800 in a tough spot following up a fall. Conrad received a 9.750, while Hultgren posted a 9.725 in the leadoff spot. Heading into the final rotation, Eastern held a slim lead, 146.150 – 145.750.
The Eagles needed a strong floor rotation to secure the victory. Eastern delivered, posting the team's second-best floor total of the season with a 49.075. Gresham turned in a career-best performance, using her powerful tumbling to notch a personal-best 9.875 to win the event. In the anchor spot, McEachern secured a clutch 9.850 to ensure the Green and White victory, while junior Megan Marino (Girard, Ohio – Howland) posted a 9.800. Finally, both Conrad and freshman Emili Dobronics (Orland Park, Ill. – Carl Sandburg) earned a pair of 9.775's. With the big floor rotation, the Eagles came away victorious by a final score of 195.225 – 194.675, which also gave the Eagles their first ever MAC Regular Season Title.
This marks the conclusion of the regular season, and the Green and White will now focus on the postseason. Next week, the Eagles head down to Bowling Green, Ohio for the MAC Championships, March 18, which EMU won last season for the second time in program history.
EMU Results (* denotes a personal-best)
Team – 195.225
Vault 48.750
3. Ciara Gresham 9.825
3. Kendall Valentin 9.825
5. Julia Schwartz 9.750
8. Kelsie Brooks 9.675
8. Megan Hultgren 9.675
12. Catie Conrad 9.500
Bars 49.125
1. Kendall Valentin 9.925
2. Lacey Rubin 9.875
3. Natalie Gervais 9.825
6. Catie Conrad 9.750
6. Sydney McEachern 9.750
8. Julia Schwartz 9.700
Beam 48.275
1. Kendall Valentin 9.875
2. Lacey Rubin 9.800
7. Catie Conrad 9.750
8. Megan Hultgren 9.725
11. Natalie Gervais 9.125
12. Ciara Gresham 8.425
Floor 49.075
1. Ciara Gresham 9.875*
2. Sydney McEachern 9.850
5. Megan Marino 9.800
8. Emili Dobronics 9.775
10. Catie Conrad 9.775
11. Natalie Gervais 9.425
All-Around
2. Catie Conrad 38.775
Players Mentioned
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