KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Central Michigan swept the top three spots in all four events, beating Western Michigan 194.100 to 185.950. Saddled by injuries, WMU entered just five of six possible gymnasts in each event.
Western Michigan has had trouble avoiding the injury bug all season and senior Andrea Perini was the latest Bronco to fall victim. Bruising a knee on her vault landing on the first rotation, Perini would be out for the rest of the meet. Last week, WMU lost senior Casey McGranahan to a broken foot against Eastern Michigan.
"Without a full line up, it's hard to put a full team out there," WMU head coach Terry Karwoski said.
With some of the top competitors and senior leadership out of the line up, the Bronco freshmen are getting an early dose of experience. Kacie Holop was thrown onto the beam last Sunday and scored a 8.550 on it this week. She also made her first appearance on the floor, scoring a 9.225. Replacing Perini on floor in her collegiate debut was freshman Sheila Dible, who registered a 8.600.
Classmate Cepeda Carter competed as an all-arounder, scoring a 36.650 and having her highest event total on the floor with a 9.575.
"Our freshmen aren't quite where we need them to be, but they are gaining experience," Karwoski added. "We can't ask more than for them to work and improve."
Kristine Garbarino had the best day individually for the Broncos, taking fourth in all four events and placing second as an all-arounder totaling a 38.750. Garbarino also had the highest score in any event for WMU, posting a 9.775 on the floor. Junior Liz Prouty was the third Bronco to compete as an all-arounder, finishing third with a 37.700.
Competing for the first time since March 7 of last year was senior Keesha Olsen. Olsen made her return to the uneven bars and hit a 9.550.
Western Michigan (is on the road for the next five-straight, engulfing the entire month of February. The Broncos don't return home until the first week of March, hosting Cal-State Berkley (3/6) and Northern Illinois (3/9) in back-to-back meets.
