KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- After capturing the all-around title with the second-best score in program history at the Eagle Invitational this week, Western Michigan sophomore Payton Murphy has been named the Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week.

Murphy posted a 39.325 all-around score, which in program history only trails a 39.350 mark by Rachel Underwood, in the meet with Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Kent State. Her top event was balance beam, on which she posted a 9.900 which is the third-best mark in team history. She also recorded a career-high 9.875 on the floor while matching her top career mark of 9.800 on vault. Murphy rounded out the event with a 9.750 on uneven bars.

It continues an impressive comeback from a season-ending injury Murphy suffered after one meet during her freshman season. Murphy is the first Bronco to win a weekly gymnastics award since Amelia Mohler was named Co-Specalist of the Week on Feb. 12, 2020. Murphy is the first WMU athlete to capture Gymnast of the Week since Rachel Underwood on January 15, 2019.

Murphy and the Broncos return to action on Saturday, Feb. 13, for a dual meet at Bowling Green. Action begins at 4 p.m. ET.

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