Women's Gymnastics | January 25, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan gymnastics team hosts rival Central Michigan in a Mid-American Conference dual on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. Admission to all home Bronco gymnastics meets, held at University Arena, are free of charge. Sunday WMU also welcomes back former Bronco gymnastics as part of Alumni Day.

Follow Us: @WMU_Gymnastics

ABOUT THE BRONCOS
This will be the third meet of the season for the Broncos and their second at home on the season. Western Michigan started off 2019 with a 195.075 to 193.950 victory over Northern Illinois in Kalamazoo on Jan. 13. The 195.075 is the highest season-opening score in program history, and is the second highest team total in the MAC in 2019. WMU traveled to Northern Illinois for a tri-meet last Friday against NIU and Eastern Michigan. The Broncos took third with a score of 192.000. The tri-meet did not count towards the MAC standings, however, the MAC dual to start off the season against NIU did. Western Michigan is 1-0 in the MAC standings headed into the meet against Central Michigan.

WHERE WE RANK
Western Michigan has a 193.538 team average through the first two meets of the season, ranking the Broncos third in the MAC and 43rd in the nation. WMU's top event is the uneven bars, in which the Broncos lead the MAC and are ranked No. 20 in the nation with an average of 48.875.

LAST WEEK'S TOP PERFORMERS
Sophomore Stacie Harrison turned in three strong events at last weekend's tri-meet with Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. Harrison competed on vault, bars and floor, having all three of her scores counted towards the team total. Harrison had the Broncos' top overall finish, tying for first on the uneven bars with a 9.825. She placed eighth on vault with a 9.700 and seventh on floor with a 9.775. Junior specialist Amelia Mohler hit both her beam and bar routines again at the tri-meet. She took third on bars with a 9.800 and seventh on beam with a 9.675. Both scores were used towards WMU's team total.

UNDERWOOD HONORED
Western Michigan senior Rachael Underwood was named MAC Gymnast of the Week for her season-opening performance against Northern Illinois. Underwood placed first on vault (9.800), beam (9.850), floor (9.900) and all-around (39.275). She also took fifth on bars (9.725).

SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan is the defending regular season and MAC champion. This will be the Chippewas' first MAC dual of the season, after having competed in three non-conference meets to begin the year. Central Michigan has a 6-1 overall record and is ranked 29th in the nation with a 194.467 team average. The Chippewas finished ahead of Texas Women's and Sacramento State and behind Denver in a quad meet last weekend, posting a score of 193.250, their lowest of the season.

LOOKING AHEAD
Following the Central Michigan meet, Western Michigan hits the road for two MAC duals over a six-day span. WMU will compete at Ball State on Sunday, Feb. 3 and at Eastern Michigan on Friday, Feb. 8. Sunday's meet against the Cardinals begins at 1 p.m. WMU and EMU begin at 6 p.m. Friday.