KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan had the top finisher in three of four events, but an untimely injury made it tough for the Broncos, as WMU was edged by Eastern Michigan in its first Mid-American Conference meet of the season, 190.500 - 180.125. Kristine Garbarino won two events and was crowned the all-around champion.
Western Michigan led after the first rotation, 47.950-47.725, but suffered a big blow in the second rotation when senior Casey McGranahan broke her foot hitting the lower bar during her routine. Freshman Kacie Holop was able to step in for McGranahan on the beam, but already down a person on floor, WMU had no one to fill in. The Broncos were forced to go with just four competitors, resulting in a missing score.
"Only having four of five scores on the floor made it pretty much impossible for us to win this meet," WMU head coach Terry Karwoski said. "We handed over a meet we would have been very competitive in and possibly won.
"We have been battling injuries and just didn't have anyone that was ready to go. The good news is we should in the next couple of weeks as some of those routines are coming back."
The only event the Brown & Gold outscored the Eagles on was the beam, bettering them by three-tenths, 46.900 - 46.600. While the team did not experience the success it would have liked, Garbarino and senior Andrea Perini shone individually.
Garbarino, competing as an all-arounder for her first season, posted a career-high 38.700. She also took first place on the uneven bars and on the floor, scoring a 9.725 and a career-high 9.800.
Perini placed first on the vault sticking a 9.750 and was runner-up on the bars and beam, recording a 9.625 on both.
Liz Prouty had a pair of third places finishes for WMU, scoring a 9.600 on the beam and 9.700 on the floor. McGranahan scored a 9.575 on both the vault and bars before leaving with injury.
Eastern Michigan's lone individual champion was Zu Vuong, winning the beam with a 9.725.
The Broncos return to University Arena next week, hosting Central Michigan in the annual Think Pink meet Sunday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.
