THIS WEEK
Western Michigan continues Mid-American Conference competition, traveling to Eastern Michigan to take on the Eagles on Friday at 6 p.m. The meet can be watched live on ESPN+.

LAST WEEK
The Broncos started MAC competition last Sunday, hosting Bowling Green and picking up a 196.425-194.825 win over the Falcons. 

WMU's point total was a season-best and Payton Murphy and Amanda Gruber picked up individual wins. Murphy took the top spot on vault with a 9.875. Junior Halle Faulkner was right behind her with a 9.850 in her first action of the season. Gruber had a career-best performance on floor, scoring a 9.950 after a 10.0 and a 9.0 from the judges to take the top spot. Ally Schaupp also had a career-best performance on floor, scoring a 9.900 in just her third time officially competing in her career. 

THE CLIMB
Western Michigan has seen an increase in its team score in each of the four meets after its season-opening score of 194.300 in a win over Eastern Michigan. 

The second meet of the season, a quad meet at the University of Illinois, saw WMU post a 196.000. That then increased to a 196.125 in Battle Creek at the Next Level Podium Challenge. Last week saw the score jump to a 196.425. 

Last season the Broncos did not break the 196 barrier until their sixth meet of the season, a 196.600 at home against EMU. So far this season, WMU has reached that mark four times. The consistent growth has moved Western Michigan up to 31st in the NQS average, according to RoadToNationals.com. 

FIRST OF THE SEASON
WMU graduate student Amanda Gruber earned the team's first MAC Weekly Honors this season after she was named MAC Specialist of the Week for her performance in the Broncos' win over Eastern Michigan. Gruber got a 9.950 on floor to win the event after her career-best performance. She also took fourth on beam with a 9.825. 

AT THE TOP
Western Michigan ranks first in the MAC as a team on beam, with an average of 48.725, sitting just ahead of Ball State. Overall, WMU is second int he mac with an average all-around score of 195.713. 

ON THE HORIZON
Western Michigan stays on the road, heading to Northern Illinois next Friday for a meet at 8 p.m.