KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Members of the 2020 regular season Mid-American Conference gymnastics champion Western Michigan squad are back home after the COVID-19 pandemic halted the remainder of the campaign. WMUBroncos.com caught up with team members to see how they're adjusting to online classes and life away from campus.
 
Head coach Penny Jernigan, the 2020 MAC Coach of the Year, has been trying to stay as connected to her team as possible during the time away. Jernigan is the fifth Bronco coach to receive the award and first since Dave Kuzara in 2011. In all, WMU has received MAC Coach of the Year accolades eight times.

In 2020, Jernigan guided a roster of six freshmen and just two seniors to the regular season championship with a 5-1 league mark. Western Michigan finished with two of the six highest scores in program history this season, including 196.075 against Kent State during the team's Senior Day meet, the second-highest mark for WMU. The Broncos' floor group also finished with the highest score in program history with a 49.375 versus Kent State.

WMUBroncos.com: Now that you've had some time to process the season, what are a few of your proudest moments?
Penny Jernigan: I'm especially proud of the team for starting off the season with a win over Michigan State, going undefeated at home, winning the MAC regular season title and turning in a team GPA of 3.84.
 
WMUBroncos.com: Now that you've had a few weeks to think about it, what went through your mind when the MAC Championship was canceled?
PJ: At first I was in shock. We had spent months preparing to host. It was hard to wrap my mind around it not happening. Then, I just felt this overwhelming disappointment for the team. 
 
WMUBroncos.com: When the season was officially canceled what were your first steps?
PJ: The first step was to notify the team. I wanted them to hear it from us first, not social media. So we called a team meeting and then we arranged an impromptu team dinner for that very evening. It gave us a little bit of closure on the season before everyone left campus. It all happened very quickly.
 
WMUBroncos.com: Once WMU decided to go to online learning, what was the process like ensuring everybody made it home safely?
PJ: Getting everyone home safely was my No. 1 priority. Those whose permanent homes are within driving distance were able to leave almost right away. We had several out-of-state parents fly into Kalamazoo one way and then drive their daughters home from here. I stayed in contact with each of them throughout the process.
 
WMUBroncos.com: How have you stayed in contact with your student-athletes?
PJ: We have a group text that we post to regularly. We also have a weekly Zoom call on Fridays.
 
WMUBroncos.com: What advice have you given them during this time?
PJ: I've advised them to stay motivated academically. I've encouraged them to create some sort of daily routine, find a designated study space and stay on top of the online assignments. Also, if they are feeling overwhelmed to please reach out for help. In addition to our staff, the athletic department has professional counselors available to provide support.
 
WMUBroncos.com: What have you done during your time away from the office?
PJ: I've continued to work remotely. Our coaches association is pressing forward with committee work and proposals for next season. We also have weekly MAC head coaches meetings and WMU head coaches meetings via Zoom and Webex. Things are so dynamic right now. Rules are changing day-to-day. It's helpful to stay connected with our peers as we navigate all this.
 
WMUBroncos.com: Have you been watching or streaming any shows or movies you'd recommend?
PJ: I've actually gotten burned out on TV. So, I've switched over to podcasts. I'm listening to "Down The Hill" right now.
 
WMUBroncos.com: Despite it not being the ending you desired for your seniors, how much of an impact did Taylor Buis and Amelia Mohler make on this program?
PJ: The seniors made an enormous impact in the leadership they provided this year. We had a very young team and they did a great job of guiding them in a positive way from day one. They were so dependable and great role models.

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