Women's Gymnastics | January 15, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan senior Rachael Underwood has been named the Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week, the league office announced this afternoon. It is the first MAC Gymnast of the Week award in her career.

Western Michigan opened the 2019 season with a 195.075 to 193.950 victory over Northern Illinois on Jan. 13 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.

Underwood had a banner day against the Huskies, placing first on vault (9.800), beam (9.850), floor (9.900) and all-around (39.275). She also took fifth on bars (9.725).

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.