COLUMBUS, Ohio – Rachael Underwood and
Morgan Spence of the Western Michigan gymnastics team concluded the 2018 season for the Broncos, participating in the NCAA Central Regionals at Ohio State on Saturday evening. In the 14th consecutive season that a Bronco gymnast participated in the meet, Underwood became the first to stand on the podium in program history after she tied for second on the floor.
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In her third appearance at regionals, Underwood qualified as an individual specialist on the vault and floor. Her regional qualifying score on vault (9.830) and floor (9.885) pushed her to an at-large spot in the events as she finished tied for fourth and fifth in the Mid-American Conference. She was paired with Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Performing like she has done all season on the floor, Underwood scored a 9.900 to place her in a six-way tie for second on the event. The junior becomes the first Bronco in program history to finish in the top-three in any event during the NCAA Regionals. On vault, Underwood delivered a 9.850 performance to tie for eighth amongst 42 gymnasts in the region.
"I am so proud of Rachael and it is an amazing accomplishment," commented WMU head coach
Penny Jernigan. "The precision and artistry of her routine really stood out and it was very well deserved."
The 2018 MAC Freshman of the Year, Spence, represented the Brown & Gold in the all-around after she was the only freshman to compete all-around in every meet this season, averaging a 38.658 score with a RQS of 38.950, good for eighth in the conference. She was paired with Ohio State during the meet.
Spence concluded her first year with the Broncos being awarded a 38.950 to finish 11th overall. Her best event of the evening came on the vault, scoring a 9.800 tying for 19th with four other gymnasts. Spence also scored 9.750 on both the bars and beam and a 9.650 on the floor.
"The future is very bright for our program," added Jernigan. "Morgan carried herself like a veteran out there and they are both determined to lead the team here next season. Both of the girls did really well today and I am very proud of them."
