Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, April 1
Champaign, Ill.
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
NCAA Regionals
Eagles Head to Champaign for NCAA Regionals
3/29/2017 11:06:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Green and White will compete against some of the top teams in the nation
Complete Meet Notes
Champaign Regional Information
Live Results/Live Stream
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- For the second time in program history, the Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team is heading to NCAA Regionals, this time making the trip to Champaign, Ill., Saturday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The Eagles look to carry the momentum from the Mid-American Conference Championships, where the Green and White secured Eastern's third MAC title in program history.
Following the Meet: The NCAA Regionals can be followed with both a live stream and live results. The stream, which will be done through www.FightingIllini.com, features a total of five different streams, consisting of one for each event and one overall program stream. Links to the live stream host page and live results will be posted on the EMUEagles.com schedule page when available.
Scouting the Champaign Regional: The Champaign Regional features five other teams from around the country, including No. 5 UCLA, No. 8 Oregon State, No. 17 Iowa, No. 19 Illinois, and No. 26 Ohio State. UCLA comes in as the highest ranked team, owning a RQS of 197.500 with a season-best score of 198.125. Bars is the Bruins' best event, as they rank No. 2 with a RQS of 49.460, while they also hold No. 3 on beam. Oregon State had a strong season as well, maintaining a RQS of 197.115 with a season-high 197.475. The Beavers are very consistent across the board, but their best event is beam, where they rank No. 8 with a 49.305.
Moving down the line, Iowa holds a team RQS of 196.510 with a season-high score of 196.725. The Hawkeyes' best event is beam, as they hold the No. 14 spot with a RQS of 49.255. Illinois, the host team, comes in just a few spots behind Iowa, as the Illini sit at No. 19 with a 196.365. Also like Iowa, Illinois' best event is beam, where they rank No. 11 with a RQS of 49.290. Finally, Ohio State rounds out the other five teams in attendance with a team RQS of 195.825.Vault paces the Buckeyes, as they hold the No. 20 spot with a 49.055 RQS.
Last Time at NCAA Regionals: Last season, the Eagles punched their ticket to NCAA Regionals as a team for the first time in program history. With plenty of positive momentum after winning the MAC Championships, the Green and White turned in an incredible performance at regionals. EMU finished fourth as a team with a 196.250, but was just .275 away from Auburn and Stanford, who tied for first with a 196.525.
Rachel Slocum led the Eagles on vault, scoring a 9.825, while Catie Conrad and Kimberly Ebeyer each notched a 9.800. On bars, the Green and White had a very strong rotation, posting a 49.200 behind a big 9.900 from Kendall Valentin. Lacey Rubin finished just behind her with a 9.875, and Natalie Gervais tacked on a 9.850.
Gervais paced Eastern on beam, earning a 9.875, while Valentin was able to secure a 9.850. On floor, Slocum earned a 9.900 to tie for first-place, which qualified her to compete as an individual at the NCAA Championships.
Valentin Named Regular Season All-American: For the first time in program history, an Eagle was named a Regular Season All-American by the National Association of College Gymnastics Coaches for Women (NACGC/W). Kendall Valentin received First Team All-American honors after finishing the season with a top-eight ranking on bars, as she is tied for seventh in the nation. First team honorees rank 1-8 in the country on their respective events, while second team is reserved for spots 9-16.
Back-to-Back MAC Champions: For the second consecutive season, the Eagles finished atop the podium at the MAC Championships. After winning the program's second ever MAC title last season, the Green and White successfully repeated as conference champions two weeks ago, edging out host Bowling Green by .100, 196.500 - 196.400. The Eagles finished the meet with a 49-or-better on each event, marking the first time this year that the Green and White accomplished the feat. Additionally, Eastern also broke the program record on bars once again, scoring a 49.300.
Individually, Ciara Gresham and Kendall Valentin tied for second on vault, each scoring a 9.850. Catie Conrad, Natalie Gervais, and Lacey Rubin tied for first on bars, as the trio all scored a 9.900. Conrad also led Eastern on beam with a 9.875, while Valentin added a 9.850. Finally, Conrad, Megan Marino, and Sydney McEachern each notched a 9.850 on floor. In the all-around, Conrad tied for her career-best with a 39.350, which was good for third. The conclusion of the meet saw Gresham, Valentin, Gervais, Rubin, and Conrad all earn All-Tournament Team honors.
Regular Season MAC Champions: The Green and White secured the team's first-ever MAC Regular Season Title with a victory against Bowling Green, March 11. Within the conference, Eastern finished with a record of 5-1, defeating Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Kent State, Ball State, and Bowling Green, while falling to Northern Illinois.
All-MAC Honorees: For the second straight season, both Kendall Valentin and Catie Conrad were named to the All-MAC teams. Valentin secured first team honors for the second consecutive year, as she finished the season as the top bars performer in the conference. Conrad, on the other hand, was named to the second team after wrapping up the regular season as the third-best bars competitor in the MAC.
Late Season Surge: Against Towson, Feb. 20, the Green and White finished with a 196.000, the team's best total of the season. The top team score of the season came in large part due to incredible team performances on bars and floor. Eastern tied the program record once again on bars, amassing a 49.250 behind a 9.925 from Kendall Valentin and a 9.90 from Catie Conrad. The Eagles also had their best floor rotation of the year, notching a 49.150 after a pair of 9.85's from Ciara Gresham and Sydney McEachern.
Later in the week, EMU scored a 195.950 against Ball State, Feb. 24, posting the Eagles' best beam total of the season. EMU's 49.075 on beam was not only the best of the year, but it was also tied for the sixth-best event total in program history. Natalie Gervais led the charge, scoring a 9.875, while Valentin kicked in a 9.85 and Conrad added a 9.825. Conrad also turned in her best all-around score of the year, notching a 39.300, which was just short of her career-best.
Three weeks ago, the team turned in its best regular season meet of the year, notching a big 196.225 on the road at West Virginia. The Eagles finished off the meet with their best rotation of the day, posting a 49.300 on beam, which was the second-best beam total in program history. Gresham had a career-day, setting new personal-bests on vault and beam with scores of 9.875 and 9.850, respectively. Additionally, Valentin tied the program record on bars with a career-high 9.950, while Gervais tied her career-best on beam with a 9.925.
Conference Rankings: Eastern remains atop the conference in the most recent rankings (March 20), holding a RQS of 195.970 to narrowly edge out Central Michigan (195.765) and Kent State (195.720). The Eagles also still hold the No. 1 spot on both bars and beam, while sitting at No. 4 on floor and No. 5 on vault.
Individually, Kendall Valentin maintains her hold on the No. 1 spot on bars with a RQS of 9.925, while Catie Conrad sits at No. 3 with a 9.880. Lacey Rubin also holds a top-five spot, as she is tied for fourth at 9.875. On beam, Valentin is tied for fourth with a RQS of 9.865, and Conrad ranks No. 8 with a 9.825. Finally, Conrad is the No. 2 all-arounder in the MAC with a RQS of 39.115, which is just over .100 away from the top spot.
Top EMU Bars Squad: With 12 meets in the books for the 2017 season, the Eagles currently own five of the top-10 event totals on bars in program history. This season's team lays claim to the No. 1, No. 2 (twice), No. 4, and No. 10 bars scores in the EMU record books, having set the program record earlier in the season, and then tied it against Towson, Feb. 20. The record fell once again at the MAC Championships, as Eastern tallied a 49.300. In fact, EMU has scored a 49 or better on the event 10 times this season.
EMU in the National Rankings: As of the most recent rankings (March 20), the Eagles jumped to No. 22 as a team, Eastern's highest ranking this season. The Green and White currently hold a RQS of 195.970 with a season-best 196.500. On bars, EMU comes in at No. 14 with a RQS of 49.215, tying the team with Arizona. The Eagles also rank No. 25 on beam with a 49.030, in addition to No. 38 on vault and No. 39 on floor.
Individually, Kendall Valentin remains in the top-10 on bars, as she currently ranks in a tie for No. 7 with Lexie Priessman of LSU and Amelia Hundley of Florida with a RQS of 9.925. Catie Conrad and Lacey Rubin are both within the top-50 as well, tying for No. 36 and No. 44, respectively.
Consistency from Conrad and McEachern: Through 12 meets this season, Catie Conrad and Sydney McEachern have been incredibly consistent for the Eagles. In total, the pair have competed a total of 72 routines, posting 71 hit routines. Conrad has already posted 11 scores of 9.8 or better on bars, including a big 9.9 three times, as well as 10 scores of 9.75 or better on beam, highlighted by a career-high 9.9 against Kent State. McEachern has been one of the team's leaders on floor, notching a 9.85 on three occasions, as well as a season-best 9.875 against the Golden Flashes.
Last Time Out: Most recently, the Green and White successfully defended its Mid-American Conference title at the conference championships, March 18, finishing with a 196.500 to narrowly edge out host Bowling Green, who totaled a 196.400. The Eagles had their best meet of the season with the team total of 196.500, while also breaking the program record on bars yet again with a 49.300. Additionally, Eastern also scored a 49-or-better on each event for the first time this year.
Individually, Ciara Gresham and Kendall Valentin tied for second on vault with a 9.850, while Catie Conrad, Natalie Gervais, and Lacey Rubin tied for first on bars, each scoring a 9.900. Conrad paced Eastern on beam as well, scoring a 9.875, while Valentin tacked on a 9.850. Finally, Conrad, Megan Marino, and Sydney McEachern each scored a 9.850 on floor.
Looking Ahead: Should the Eagles finish within the top-two as a team at regionals, EMU will then advance to the NCAA Championships, April 14-15, in St. Louis, Mo. Additionally, select individuals may qualify to the national championships as well based on their finish at this weekend's regional meet.
Champaign Regional Information
Live Results/Live Stream
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- For the second time in program history, the Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team is heading to NCAA Regionals, this time making the trip to Champaign, Ill., Saturday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The Eagles look to carry the momentum from the Mid-American Conference Championships, where the Green and White secured Eastern's third MAC title in program history.
Following the Meet: The NCAA Regionals can be followed with both a live stream and live results. The stream, which will be done through www.FightingIllini.com, features a total of five different streams, consisting of one for each event and one overall program stream. Links to the live stream host page and live results will be posted on the EMUEagles.com schedule page when available.
Scouting the Champaign Regional: The Champaign Regional features five other teams from around the country, including No. 5 UCLA, No. 8 Oregon State, No. 17 Iowa, No. 19 Illinois, and No. 26 Ohio State. UCLA comes in as the highest ranked team, owning a RQS of 197.500 with a season-best score of 198.125. Bars is the Bruins' best event, as they rank No. 2 with a RQS of 49.460, while they also hold No. 3 on beam. Oregon State had a strong season as well, maintaining a RQS of 197.115 with a season-high 197.475. The Beavers are very consistent across the board, but their best event is beam, where they rank No. 8 with a 49.305.
Moving down the line, Iowa holds a team RQS of 196.510 with a season-high score of 196.725. The Hawkeyes' best event is beam, as they hold the No. 14 spot with a RQS of 49.255. Illinois, the host team, comes in just a few spots behind Iowa, as the Illini sit at No. 19 with a 196.365. Also like Iowa, Illinois' best event is beam, where they rank No. 11 with a RQS of 49.290. Finally, Ohio State rounds out the other five teams in attendance with a team RQS of 195.825.Vault paces the Buckeyes, as they hold the No. 20 spot with a 49.055 RQS.
Last Time at NCAA Regionals: Last season, the Eagles punched their ticket to NCAA Regionals as a team for the first time in program history. With plenty of positive momentum after winning the MAC Championships, the Green and White turned in an incredible performance at regionals. EMU finished fourth as a team with a 196.250, but was just .275 away from Auburn and Stanford, who tied for first with a 196.525.
Rachel Slocum led the Eagles on vault, scoring a 9.825, while Catie Conrad and Kimberly Ebeyer each notched a 9.800. On bars, the Green and White had a very strong rotation, posting a 49.200 behind a big 9.900 from Kendall Valentin. Lacey Rubin finished just behind her with a 9.875, and Natalie Gervais tacked on a 9.850.
Gervais paced Eastern on beam, earning a 9.875, while Valentin was able to secure a 9.850. On floor, Slocum earned a 9.900 to tie for first-place, which qualified her to compete as an individual at the NCAA Championships.
Valentin Named Regular Season All-American: For the first time in program history, an Eagle was named a Regular Season All-American by the National Association of College Gymnastics Coaches for Women (NACGC/W). Kendall Valentin received First Team All-American honors after finishing the season with a top-eight ranking on bars, as she is tied for seventh in the nation. First team honorees rank 1-8 in the country on their respective events, while second team is reserved for spots 9-16.
Back-to-Back MAC Champions: For the second consecutive season, the Eagles finished atop the podium at the MAC Championships. After winning the program's second ever MAC title last season, the Green and White successfully repeated as conference champions two weeks ago, edging out host Bowling Green by .100, 196.500 - 196.400. The Eagles finished the meet with a 49-or-better on each event, marking the first time this year that the Green and White accomplished the feat. Additionally, Eastern also broke the program record on bars once again, scoring a 49.300.
Individually, Ciara Gresham and Kendall Valentin tied for second on vault, each scoring a 9.850. Catie Conrad, Natalie Gervais, and Lacey Rubin tied for first on bars, as the trio all scored a 9.900. Conrad also led Eastern on beam with a 9.875, while Valentin added a 9.850. Finally, Conrad, Megan Marino, and Sydney McEachern each notched a 9.850 on floor. In the all-around, Conrad tied for her career-best with a 39.350, which was good for third. The conclusion of the meet saw Gresham, Valentin, Gervais, Rubin, and Conrad all earn All-Tournament Team honors.
Regular Season MAC Champions: The Green and White secured the team's first-ever MAC Regular Season Title with a victory against Bowling Green, March 11. Within the conference, Eastern finished with a record of 5-1, defeating Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Kent State, Ball State, and Bowling Green, while falling to Northern Illinois.
All-MAC Honorees: For the second straight season, both Kendall Valentin and Catie Conrad were named to the All-MAC teams. Valentin secured first team honors for the second consecutive year, as she finished the season as the top bars performer in the conference. Conrad, on the other hand, was named to the second team after wrapping up the regular season as the third-best bars competitor in the MAC.
Late Season Surge: Against Towson, Feb. 20, the Green and White finished with a 196.000, the team's best total of the season. The top team score of the season came in large part due to incredible team performances on bars and floor. Eastern tied the program record once again on bars, amassing a 49.250 behind a 9.925 from Kendall Valentin and a 9.90 from Catie Conrad. The Eagles also had their best floor rotation of the year, notching a 49.150 after a pair of 9.85's from Ciara Gresham and Sydney McEachern.
Later in the week, EMU scored a 195.950 against Ball State, Feb. 24, posting the Eagles' best beam total of the season. EMU's 49.075 on beam was not only the best of the year, but it was also tied for the sixth-best event total in program history. Natalie Gervais led the charge, scoring a 9.875, while Valentin kicked in a 9.85 and Conrad added a 9.825. Conrad also turned in her best all-around score of the year, notching a 39.300, which was just short of her career-best.
Three weeks ago, the team turned in its best regular season meet of the year, notching a big 196.225 on the road at West Virginia. The Eagles finished off the meet with their best rotation of the day, posting a 49.300 on beam, which was the second-best beam total in program history. Gresham had a career-day, setting new personal-bests on vault and beam with scores of 9.875 and 9.850, respectively. Additionally, Valentin tied the program record on bars with a career-high 9.950, while Gervais tied her career-best on beam with a 9.925.
Conference Rankings: Eastern remains atop the conference in the most recent rankings (March 20), holding a RQS of 195.970 to narrowly edge out Central Michigan (195.765) and Kent State (195.720). The Eagles also still hold the No. 1 spot on both bars and beam, while sitting at No. 4 on floor and No. 5 on vault.
Individually, Kendall Valentin maintains her hold on the No. 1 spot on bars with a RQS of 9.925, while Catie Conrad sits at No. 3 with a 9.880. Lacey Rubin also holds a top-five spot, as she is tied for fourth at 9.875. On beam, Valentin is tied for fourth with a RQS of 9.865, and Conrad ranks No. 8 with a 9.825. Finally, Conrad is the No. 2 all-arounder in the MAC with a RQS of 39.115, which is just over .100 away from the top spot.
Top EMU Bars Squad: With 12 meets in the books for the 2017 season, the Eagles currently own five of the top-10 event totals on bars in program history. This season's team lays claim to the No. 1, No. 2 (twice), No. 4, and No. 10 bars scores in the EMU record books, having set the program record earlier in the season, and then tied it against Towson, Feb. 20. The record fell once again at the MAC Championships, as Eastern tallied a 49.300. In fact, EMU has scored a 49 or better on the event 10 times this season.
EMU in the National Rankings: As of the most recent rankings (March 20), the Eagles jumped to No. 22 as a team, Eastern's highest ranking this season. The Green and White currently hold a RQS of 195.970 with a season-best 196.500. On bars, EMU comes in at No. 14 with a RQS of 49.215, tying the team with Arizona. The Eagles also rank No. 25 on beam with a 49.030, in addition to No. 38 on vault and No. 39 on floor.
Individually, Kendall Valentin remains in the top-10 on bars, as she currently ranks in a tie for No. 7 with Lexie Priessman of LSU and Amelia Hundley of Florida with a RQS of 9.925. Catie Conrad and Lacey Rubin are both within the top-50 as well, tying for No. 36 and No. 44, respectively.
Consistency from Conrad and McEachern: Through 12 meets this season, Catie Conrad and Sydney McEachern have been incredibly consistent for the Eagles. In total, the pair have competed a total of 72 routines, posting 71 hit routines. Conrad has already posted 11 scores of 9.8 or better on bars, including a big 9.9 three times, as well as 10 scores of 9.75 or better on beam, highlighted by a career-high 9.9 against Kent State. McEachern has been one of the team's leaders on floor, notching a 9.85 on three occasions, as well as a season-best 9.875 against the Golden Flashes.
Last Time Out: Most recently, the Green and White successfully defended its Mid-American Conference title at the conference championships, March 18, finishing with a 196.500 to narrowly edge out host Bowling Green, who totaled a 196.400. The Eagles had their best meet of the season with the team total of 196.500, while also breaking the program record on bars yet again with a 49.300. Additionally, Eastern also scored a 49-or-better on each event for the first time this year.
Individually, Ciara Gresham and Kendall Valentin tied for second on vault with a 9.850, while Catie Conrad, Natalie Gervais, and Lacey Rubin tied for first on bars, each scoring a 9.900. Conrad paced Eastern on beam as well, scoring a 9.875, while Valentin tacked on a 9.850. Finally, Conrad, Megan Marino, and Sydney McEachern each scored a 9.850 on floor.
Looking Ahead: Should the Eagles finish within the top-two as a team at regionals, EMU will then advance to the NCAA Championships, April 14-15, in St. Louis, Mo. Additionally, select individuals may qualify to the national championships as well based on their finish at this weekend's regional meet.
Players Mentioned
AA
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V, BB, FX
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AA
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AA
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AA
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AA
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V,BB,FX
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AA
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