KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Three days after having the then-third-highest score in program history, the Western Michigan totaled the second-highest score in school history with a 195.950 in a rematch with Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday night at University Arena in Kalamazoo.
“I feel like we have our legs under us now,” head coach Penny Jernigan said. “We have our confidence up. We've had the potential for this all along but now the team feels the confidence and momentum and it couldn't come at a better time.”
The Broncos scored a 48.900 or higher on all four events including a meet-best 49.125 on the final event on the night on the floor. Rachael Underwood had a career-high and the third-highest total in program history on floor with a 9.900. It bested her previous-high of 9.875 which she did in the second meet of the season against Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green to clinch the win against those two teams.
“As a freshman she's been phenomenal for us,” Jernigan said. “She's been knocking on the door of that 9.900 all season and to get it tonight, we are really proud of her.”
Western Michigan ended up capturing all four events individually as Jessi Buis led off the night tying her career-high with a 9.875 on vault. She was one of two Broncos with a 9.825 or higher. As a team, Western Michigan tied its score from last Saturday when the Broncos scored a 48.975, eighth-highest in program history.
The team went on to equal its output as well from Saturday on bars. Jessie Peszek continued her hot streak of late, scoring a 9.850. Anna Corbett was right behind her in the event with a 9.825.
Kelsey Hood was the fourth Bronco individual to capture a title on the night as she scored a 9.850 on beam. Western Michigan scored a 48.900 in the event.
There will not be much time for rest as the Broncos will wrap up this stretch of three meets in six days with SEC opponent Missouri coming to University Arena on Friday night at 7:00 for Senior Night. The opportunity to host a big name school does not go unnoticed by the Broncos.
“We are thrilled to have Missouri come here as the first SEC opponent to ever come to Kalamazoo,” Jernigan said. “If you want to be the best, you have to compete with the best and it will just help our student-athletes get better.”
