Fabulous Five: Gymnastics Captures Fifth-Straight MAC Title
3/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
YPSILANTI, Mich. – History was made on Saturday at the EMU Convocation Center, as Central Michigan University Gymnastics became the first team to win five consecutive Mid-American Conference championships.
The Chippewas (21-3 overall) dominated the meet, posting a 196.475 to take first place. Kent State was the runner-up with a 195.125 followed by Bowling Green (194.625), Northern Illinois (194.150), Ball State (193.975), Eastern Michigan (193.850) and Western Michigan (191.575).
Kylie Fagan was the lone individual MAC champion with a career-best 9.95 on bars. The Chippewas did dominate the podium with at least two gymnasts finishing in the top five on every event. Fagan was also named to the MAC All-Tournament team.
After sitting out the first rotation, the Chippewas began the meet with a solid performance on beam, posting a 48.975. Taylor Noonan led CMU with a 9.875, which was good for second overall, while Halle Moraw took third with a 9.850 and Emily Heinz finished fourth with a 9.825.
CMU’s next rotation was floor and strong performances by Taylor Bolender and Moraw led CMU to a 49.025. Bolender took second with a 9.900 while Moraw was third with a 9.850. That gave the Chippewas a slight lead midway through the meet as they had a 98.000 followed closely by Kent State (97.900) and BGSU (97.700).
Another bye for CMU had the squad sitting out the next rotation before they competed on vault. Kirsten Petzold and Moraw tied for second as both scored a 9.825 while Heinz and Brittany Petzold both scored a 9.800 to tie for fifth. The Maroon and Gold scored a 49.000 on the event as they began to pull away as Kent State faltered on beam (48.200) and BGSU on bars (48.675).
CMU had one final bye before they competed on bars with a title on the line. The Chippewas showed their championship pedigree as the squad dominated the event, posting a 49.475, which is the second-best score in school history. Fagan’s winning score of 9.95 is the fourth-best score in school history while Noonan and Karlee Teet both finished second with a career-best 9.900.
The Chippewas now await their NCAA Regional Championships assignment. The selection show is Monday, March 24, at 3 p.m., on NCAA.com
The Chippewas (21-3 overall) dominated the meet, posting a 196.475 to take first place. Kent State was the runner-up with a 195.125 followed by Bowling Green (194.625), Northern Illinois (194.150), Ball State (193.975), Eastern Michigan (193.850) and Western Michigan (191.575).
Kylie Fagan was the lone individual MAC champion with a career-best 9.95 on bars. The Chippewas did dominate the podium with at least two gymnasts finishing in the top five on every event. Fagan was also named to the MAC All-Tournament team.
After sitting out the first rotation, the Chippewas began the meet with a solid performance on beam, posting a 48.975. Taylor Noonan led CMU with a 9.875, which was good for second overall, while Halle Moraw took third with a 9.850 and Emily Heinz finished fourth with a 9.825.
CMU’s next rotation was floor and strong performances by Taylor Bolender and Moraw led CMU to a 49.025. Bolender took second with a 9.900 while Moraw was third with a 9.850. That gave the Chippewas a slight lead midway through the meet as they had a 98.000 followed closely by Kent State (97.900) and BGSU (97.700).
Another bye for CMU had the squad sitting out the next rotation before they competed on vault. Kirsten Petzold and Moraw tied for second as both scored a 9.825 while Heinz and Brittany Petzold both scored a 9.800 to tie for fifth. The Maroon and Gold scored a 49.000 on the event as they began to pull away as Kent State faltered on beam (48.200) and BGSU on bars (48.675).
CMU had one final bye before they competed on bars with a title on the line. The Chippewas showed their championship pedigree as the squad dominated the event, posting a 49.475, which is the second-best score in school history. Fagan’s winning score of 9.95 is the fourth-best score in school history while Noonan and Karlee Teet both finished second with a career-best 9.900.
The Chippewas now await their NCAA Regional Championships assignment. The selection show is Monday, March 24, at 3 p.m., on NCAA.com
MAC Championships Cinematic Melt
Monday, March 24
Lia Kmieciak Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22
Coach MacDonald Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22
Hannah Appleget Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22