Women's Gymnastics | January 13, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan gymnastics team opened the 2019 season with a 195.075 to 193.950 victory over Northern Illinois Sunday at University Arena. The Huskies entered the meet as the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference this season, according to the league's preseason poll.

The 195.075 is one of the highest season-opening scores in Western Michigan history and the best under sixth-year head coach Penny Jernigan.

The Broncos jumped out front with a 48.550 on vault and led 97.425 to 96.100 after two rotations. WMU's highest event total came on balance beam with a 48.900 in the third rotation. The Broncos closed out the afternoon with a 48.750 on the floor exercise.

Northern Illinois scored a 47.500 on the uneven bars in its first rotation. The Huskies tallied a 48.500 on vault, 49.100 on floor and a 48.750 on beam.

Western Michigan had the top individual finisher in all four events and the all-around. Senior Rachael Underwood had a banner day, placing first on vault (9.800), beam (9.850) and floor (9.900). She also took fifth on bars (9.725) and was the meet's top all-arounder with a score of 39.275.

The 2018 MAC Freshman of the Year and current sophomore Morgan Spence took first on the bars with a 9.875. She also competed as an all-arounder, totaling a 39.025.

Junior Amelia Mohler and sophomore Alexis Olivier tied for second on the bars with a 9.775. Sophomore Stacie Harrison tied for runner-up on the vault with a 9.750.

Three Bronco freshmen, Emily Carless, Alyssa Keller and Shailyn St. Brice made their collegiate debut. Carless and Keller both competed on beam, scoring a 9.625 and a 9.700, respectively. St. Brice competed on the vault and floor, scoring a 9.675 and a 9.725.

After missing the final two meets last season with injury, junior Taylor Buis returned to compete in three events, scoring a 9.700 on vault, a 9.725 on bars and a 9.800 on beam. All three routines were used towards the team total. Her beam score was good enough for third place.

Western Michigan and Northern Illinois will get familiar with one another over the first few weeks of the season. The Broncos travel to DeKalb next Friday, Jan. 18, for a 6 p.m. tri-meet featuring WMU, NIU and Eastern Michigan.