Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, January 6
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Kentucky
Photo by: Andrew Mascharka
Eagles Kick Off 2017 Season with Home Meet Against Kentucky
1/4/2017 11:37:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Green and White will square off with the SEC foe at 7 p.m. on Friday
Meet Notes
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team is ready to officially kick off the 2017 season with a home meet against Kentucky, Friday, January 6, at 7 p.m. The Eagles look to build on their successful 2016 season, in which the team won their second ever MAC Championship and qualified to regionals for the first time in program history, in EMU's first year under Head Coach Sarah Brown.
Following the Meet: The meet can be followed from home through both an ESPN3 broadcast, as well as live results. Links for both can be found on the EMU Gymnastics schedule page on EMUEagles.com.
Scouting the Competition: Last season, the Wildcats concluded the season ranked No. 22, while the Eagles finished at No. 17. Kentucky maintained an average team score of 195.765, in addition to a season high of 196.700, just one tenth better than EMU's season high of 196.600.
The Wildcats were fairly consistent when it comes to each event, steadily improving on all four throughout the season. The team's best event last year appeared to be beam, where they scored above a 49 on eight occasions, including a huge 49.375 near the end of February.
Individually, Sidney Dukes and Alex Hyland both held season averages above a 39 in the all-around, with Hyland leading the way at 39.115, while Dukes had the season high of 39.400. On vault, three Wildcats posted season highs of 9.85 or better, with Katie Stuart nabbing a season-best 9.90. The bars lineup was paced by Hyland, who had a season-best 9.90, while five gymnasts posted season highs of 9.85 or better.
On beam, Hyland once again led the group, averaging a strong 9.846 throughout the year, in addition to a season-best 9.925. Additionally, Dukes and Cori Rechenmacher each posted 9.90s, while three other Wildcats averaged a 9.85. Finally, Dukes posted a 9.90 on floor, with three others scoring at least a 9.85.
Eagles Welcome Ella Dover: The Eagles, in unison with Team IMPACT, announced Thursday, Dec. 8, that the team signed 10-year old Ella Dover to a ceremonial letter of commitment to join the team for the next few years.
Ella suffers from chronic epilepsy and has multiple seizures daily. This, however, does not have an impact on her attitude, as she is always smiling and approaching life with a positive mentality. Ella will be a regular at practices and meets, and will also join the Green and White for team activities and events throughout the year.
First Year Under Head Coach Sarah Brown: This season marks the first under first-year Head Coach Sarah Brown, who joined the Eagles on July 25.
Brown arrives in Ypsilanti following a year-long stint as the volunteer assistant coach at the University of Michigan. While at Michigan, she assisted on all four events, including beam and floor choreography, as well as the development of daily practice plans. Her lone year as a Wolverine saw the team capture the Big Ten Conference Championship, in addition to bringing home individual Big Ten titles on uneven bars, beam, and floor exercise. Additionally, she helped coach the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
She was also involved in on-campus recruiting, which saw her assist with campus tours for prospective student-athletes and their parents, among other duties. On the operations side, Brown coordinated the planning for meet judges, including hotel accommodations and travel, while also helping with team travel plans, community service opportunities, social media, and other daily operations.
Before joining the Maize and Blue, Brown was an assistant gymnastics coach at Southeast Missouri State University for three seasons. There, she was the head beam coach, in addition to the beam and floor choreographer, helping create unique routines while also mentally preparing her student-athletes for the rigors of the competitive season. She found plenty of success at SEMO, earning Midwest Independent Conference Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2014. Brown also coached the 2014 MIC floor, vault, and bars champions, in addition to the 2013 and 2014 MIC Freshman of the Year. Finally, she helped coach four individual all-around competitors that qualified to the NCAA Regionals in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Brown was an accomplished gymnast at Missouri and Utah from 2006 through 2010, being named to the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. A four-time All-American, Brown earned a Honda Broderick Cup Award nomination in 2010. In 2009 and 2010, she was named the Women's Intersport Network Collegiate Sportswoman of the Year, in addition to being named the University of Missouri Female Athlete of the Year, South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, and Big 12 Gymnast of the Year. The 2010 recipient of the Director of Athletics Leadership Award, she was a nine-time All-Big 12 honoree and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2008. As a freshman at Utah in 2007, she helped the Utes to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships.
Green and White Tab Dallas Becerra as Assistant Coach: EMU Gymnastics Head Coach Sarah Brown announced Tuesday, Sept. 6, that the Eagles hired Dallas Becerra as the team's new assistant coach.
Becerra comes to Ypsilanti following a year-long stint at AIM Gymnastics Training Center in The Woodlands, Texas. There, Becerra worked as the team's primary uneven bars coach. Specifically, he developed a new training system for optional-level gymnasts on bars, in addition to being the main spotter for level 10 and elite gymnasts on floor and bars. Finally, Becerra also assisted in creating conditioning circuits to help the overall fitness of his gymnasts.
Before coaching at AIM Gymnastics, Becerra worked as the women's optional assistant team coach at American Kids Sports Center in Bakersfield, Calif. There, he assumed interim head coaching duties for a period of time while the head coach was unavailable. He also oversaw and directed all levels of gymnastics, all the way from compulsory through optional. Becerra also implemented the TOPS program for the gym, recruiting gymnasts into the program based on physical abilities and flexibility.
Becerra got his coaching start at FlipzUSA Gymnastics in Columbia, Mo., serving as the women's optional coach. As the optional coach, Becerra created daily workout plans and drills for optional gymnasts, ranging from level eight through level 10.
Eagles on ESPN3: For the second consecutive season, the Eagles will have a pair of home meets broadcast on ESPN3. This season, the home opener against Kentucky, Jan. 6, will be the first, while the second will be versus Ball State, Feb. 24.
Last Time Out: The Eagles most recently comepted in an exhibition meet at Michigan, Dec. 10, at the Crisler Center. The Eagles utilized the opportunity to compete in a true meet-like environment, giving them an idea of what to expect when the season officially begins.
Although official scores were not kept due to celebrity judging, the Green and White had a number of strong performances. On bars, Lacey Rubin, Catie Conrad, and Kendall Valentin posted excellent routines, while Ciara Gresham and Megan Hultgren kicked in solid vaults.
Floor saw Sydney Audet don the Green and White for the first time, in addition to good sets from Megan Marino and Kirsten Gendron. Finally, Hultgren, Conrad, Rubin, and Valentin concluded the meet on a high note with beautiful beam routines.
Looking Ahead: After beginning the season at home, the Eagles will be on the road for the next four meets. Next week, the Green and White travel to Illinois for a tri-meet with Illinois and Rutgers, Saturday, Jan. 14, at 4 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team is ready to officially kick off the 2017 season with a home meet against Kentucky, Friday, January 6, at 7 p.m. The Eagles look to build on their successful 2016 season, in which the team won their second ever MAC Championship and qualified to regionals for the first time in program history, in EMU's first year under Head Coach Sarah Brown.
Following the Meet: The meet can be followed from home through both an ESPN3 broadcast, as well as live results. Links for both can be found on the EMU Gymnastics schedule page on EMUEagles.com.
Scouting the Competition: Last season, the Wildcats concluded the season ranked No. 22, while the Eagles finished at No. 17. Kentucky maintained an average team score of 195.765, in addition to a season high of 196.700, just one tenth better than EMU's season high of 196.600.
The Wildcats were fairly consistent when it comes to each event, steadily improving on all four throughout the season. The team's best event last year appeared to be beam, where they scored above a 49 on eight occasions, including a huge 49.375 near the end of February.
Individually, Sidney Dukes and Alex Hyland both held season averages above a 39 in the all-around, with Hyland leading the way at 39.115, while Dukes had the season high of 39.400. On vault, three Wildcats posted season highs of 9.85 or better, with Katie Stuart nabbing a season-best 9.90. The bars lineup was paced by Hyland, who had a season-best 9.90, while five gymnasts posted season highs of 9.85 or better.
On beam, Hyland once again led the group, averaging a strong 9.846 throughout the year, in addition to a season-best 9.925. Additionally, Dukes and Cori Rechenmacher each posted 9.90s, while three other Wildcats averaged a 9.85. Finally, Dukes posted a 9.90 on floor, with three others scoring at least a 9.85.
Eagles Welcome Ella Dover: The Eagles, in unison with Team IMPACT, announced Thursday, Dec. 8, that the team signed 10-year old Ella Dover to a ceremonial letter of commitment to join the team for the next few years.
Ella suffers from chronic epilepsy and has multiple seizures daily. This, however, does not have an impact on her attitude, as she is always smiling and approaching life with a positive mentality. Ella will be a regular at practices and meets, and will also join the Green and White for team activities and events throughout the year.
First Year Under Head Coach Sarah Brown: This season marks the first under first-year Head Coach Sarah Brown, who joined the Eagles on July 25.
Brown arrives in Ypsilanti following a year-long stint as the volunteer assistant coach at the University of Michigan. While at Michigan, she assisted on all four events, including beam and floor choreography, as well as the development of daily practice plans. Her lone year as a Wolverine saw the team capture the Big Ten Conference Championship, in addition to bringing home individual Big Ten titles on uneven bars, beam, and floor exercise. Additionally, she helped coach the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
She was also involved in on-campus recruiting, which saw her assist with campus tours for prospective student-athletes and their parents, among other duties. On the operations side, Brown coordinated the planning for meet judges, including hotel accommodations and travel, while also helping with team travel plans, community service opportunities, social media, and other daily operations.
Before joining the Maize and Blue, Brown was an assistant gymnastics coach at Southeast Missouri State University for three seasons. There, she was the head beam coach, in addition to the beam and floor choreographer, helping create unique routines while also mentally preparing her student-athletes for the rigors of the competitive season. She found plenty of success at SEMO, earning Midwest Independent Conference Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2014. Brown also coached the 2014 MIC floor, vault, and bars champions, in addition to the 2013 and 2014 MIC Freshman of the Year. Finally, she helped coach four individual all-around competitors that qualified to the NCAA Regionals in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Brown was an accomplished gymnast at Missouri and Utah from 2006 through 2010, being named to the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. A four-time All-American, Brown earned a Honda Broderick Cup Award nomination in 2010. In 2009 and 2010, she was named the Women's Intersport Network Collegiate Sportswoman of the Year, in addition to being named the University of Missouri Female Athlete of the Year, South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, and Big 12 Gymnast of the Year. The 2010 recipient of the Director of Athletics Leadership Award, she was a nine-time All-Big 12 honoree and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2008. As a freshman at Utah in 2007, she helped the Utes to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships.
Green and White Tab Dallas Becerra as Assistant Coach: EMU Gymnastics Head Coach Sarah Brown announced Tuesday, Sept. 6, that the Eagles hired Dallas Becerra as the team's new assistant coach.
Becerra comes to Ypsilanti following a year-long stint at AIM Gymnastics Training Center in The Woodlands, Texas. There, Becerra worked as the team's primary uneven bars coach. Specifically, he developed a new training system for optional-level gymnasts on bars, in addition to being the main spotter for level 10 and elite gymnasts on floor and bars. Finally, Becerra also assisted in creating conditioning circuits to help the overall fitness of his gymnasts.
Before coaching at AIM Gymnastics, Becerra worked as the women's optional assistant team coach at American Kids Sports Center in Bakersfield, Calif. There, he assumed interim head coaching duties for a period of time while the head coach was unavailable. He also oversaw and directed all levels of gymnastics, all the way from compulsory through optional. Becerra also implemented the TOPS program for the gym, recruiting gymnasts into the program based on physical abilities and flexibility.
Becerra got his coaching start at FlipzUSA Gymnastics in Columbia, Mo., serving as the women's optional coach. As the optional coach, Becerra created daily workout plans and drills for optional gymnasts, ranging from level eight through level 10.
Eagles on ESPN3: For the second consecutive season, the Eagles will have a pair of home meets broadcast on ESPN3. This season, the home opener against Kentucky, Jan. 6, will be the first, while the second will be versus Ball State, Feb. 24.
Last Time Out: The Eagles most recently comepted in an exhibition meet at Michigan, Dec. 10, at the Crisler Center. The Eagles utilized the opportunity to compete in a true meet-like environment, giving them an idea of what to expect when the season officially begins.
Although official scores were not kept due to celebrity judging, the Green and White had a number of strong performances. On bars, Lacey Rubin, Catie Conrad, and Kendall Valentin posted excellent routines, while Ciara Gresham and Megan Hultgren kicked in solid vaults.
Floor saw Sydney Audet don the Green and White for the first time, in addition to good sets from Megan Marino and Kirsten Gendron. Finally, Hultgren, Conrad, Rubin, and Valentin concluded the meet on a high note with beautiful beam routines.
Looking Ahead: After beginning the season at home, the Eagles will be on the road for the next four meets. Next week, the Green and White travel to Illinois for a tri-meet with Illinois and Rutgers, Saturday, Jan. 14, at 4 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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