Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, March 18
Bowling Green, Ohio
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
MAC Championships
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Set to Defend MAC Title in Bowling Green
3/16/2017 10:45:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Green and White look to bring back another MAC title to Ypsilanti
Complete Meet Notes
Live Results
ESPN 3
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Following a regular season Mid-American Conference title, the No. 25 Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team now turns its attention towards the Mid-American Conference Championships, held Saturday, March 18, in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Eagles will look to make it two straight, as the Green and White claimed the program's second ever championship last season.
Following the Meet: Sunday's meet can be followed from home with live results, as well as an ESPN3 broadcast. Links can be found on the gymnastics schedule page of EMUEagles.com.
Scouting the MAC: Heading into the MAC Championships, the Eagles remain the top-ranked team in the conference with a RQS of 195.805. Kent State is just behind the Green and White, however, holding a RQS of 195.720. Rounding out the top-three is Central Michigan, who sits at 195.370. CMU also holds the highest score of the season at a 196.575, while Kent State has scored a 196.425. In addition to EMU, KSU, and CMU, Northern Illinois is the only other team to have scored above a 196, notching a 196.150 last week in Mount Pleasant. When factoring in the average team scores of the entire season, Kent State comes out on top with an average team total of 195.250, while Eastern maintains a 195.193 average. KSU and EMU are the only teams in the MAC to hold an average of 195-or-better throughout the year.
Last Time at the MAC Championships: The Eagles won their second ever MAC Championship last season, finishing with a team total of 196.425 to secure the title. The Green and White won the meet by a wide margin, as second-place Ball State claimed the silver with a 195.650.
Eastern began the meet on bars, totaling a 48.825 behind a big 9.90 from Kendall Valentin. Catie Conrad also had a solid routine, chipping in a 9.80. The team's best event of the meet came next, as the Eagles set a program record on beam with a 49.325. Natalie Gervais paced the squad with a 9.90, while Conrad, Lacey Rubin, and Valentin all posted 9.875's.
The positive momentum carried over to floor, as EMU totaled a 49.350 behind three scores of 9.90. Kimberly Ebeyer, Sydney McEachern, and Rachel Slocum all received a 9.90, while Ciara Gresham earned a 9.85. Closing out the meet on vault, Slocum earned a 9.85, while Conrad tacked on a 9.80 to put the Green and White at a 48.925 on the event.
Regular Season MAC Champions: The Green and White secured the team's first ever MAC Regular Season Title this past weekend in the victory against Bowling Green. Within the conference, Eastern finished with a record of 5-1, defeating Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Kent State, Ball State, and Bowling Green, while falling to Northern Illinois.
Locked In for Regionals: For the second time in program history, the Eagles are mathematically locked for a berth to the NCAA Regionals. The MAC has two teams in position to head to regionals, as both EMU and Kent State have secured their spots, while Central Michigan and Western Michigan are still in the hunt, sitting at No. 36 and No. 38, respectively. This year, the six regional sites include Fayetteville, Ark., Gainesville, Fla., Urbana-Champaign, Ill., Lincoln, Neb., Seattle, Wash., and Morgantown, W. Va.
All-MAC Honorees: For the second straight season, both Kendall Valentin and Catie Conrad were named to the All-MAC teams. Valentin secured first team honors for the second consecutive year, as she finished the season as the top bars performer in the conference. Conrad, on the other hand, was named second team after wrapping up the regular season as the third-best bars competitor in the MAC.
Best Beam Total of the Season: While in Morgantown, the Eagles posted their second-best beam total in program history, erupting for a 49.300 behind five scores of 9.825-or-better. Leading the way was Natalie Gervais, who won the event after tying her career-high with a 9.925. Three Eagles also notched a 9.85, with Catie Conrad, Kendall Valentin, and Ciara Gresham all earning the score. Gresham's mark was also a personal-best. Finally, Lacey Rubin rounded out EMU's scoring five with a 9.825.
Late Season Surge: Against Towson, Feb. 20, the Green and White finished with a 196.000, the team's best total of the season. The top team score of the season came in large part due to incredible team performances on bars and floor. Eastern tied the program record once again on bars, amassing a 49.250 behind a 9.925 from Kendall Valentin and a 9.90 from Catie Conrad. The Eagles also had their best floor rotation of the year, notching a 49.150 after a pair of 9.85's from Ciara Gresham and Sydney McEachern.
Later in the week, EMU scored a 195.950 against Ball State, Feb. 24, posting the Eagles' best beam total of the season. EMU's 49.075 on beam was not only the best of the year, but it was also tied for the sixth-best event total in program history. Natalie Gervais led the charge, scoring a 9.875, while Valentin kicked in a 9.85 and Conrad added a 9.825. Conrad also turned in her best all-around score of the year, notching a 39.300, which was just short of her career-best.
Two weeks ago, the team turned in its best meet of the season, notching a big 196.225 on the road at West Virginia. The Eagles finished off the meet with their best rotation of the day, posting a 49.300 on beam, which was the second-best beam total in program history. Gresham had a career-day, setting new personal-bests on vault and beam with scores of 9.875 and 9.850, respectively. Additionally, Valentin tied the program record on bars with a career-high 9.950, while Gervais tied her career-best on beam with a 9.925.
Conference Rankings: EMU has now competed in 11 meets this season against 15 opponents, with just the postseason remaining. As of the most recent rankings, the Eagles still hold the top-ranked spot in the MAC, as they hold a RQS of 195.805, while second-place Kent State sits at a 195.720. When it comes to individual events, EMU sits atop the conference on bars and beam, while holding fifth on both vault and floor.
Kendall Valentin remains in the top-spot on bars, as she maintains a RQS of 9.925. In fact, Valentin is one-of-two gymnasts in the conference to hold a bars RQS of 9.90-or-better. Additionally, Catie Conrad sits at No. 3 on the event with a RQS of 9.870, while Lacey Rubin remains in a tie for No. 5 at 9.860. Valentin also holds No. 3 on beam with a RQS of 9.865, while Conrad and Rubin are tied for No. 8.
Top EMU Bars Squad: With 11 meets in the books for the 2017 season, the Eagles currently own four of the top-10 event totals on bars in program history. This season's team lays claim to the No. 1, No. 2, No. 8, and No. 10 bars scores in the EMU record books, having set the program record earlier in the season, and then tied it against Towson, Feb. 20. In fact, EMU has scored a 49 or better on the event nine times this season.
EMU in the National Rankings: Following another strong regular season, the Eagles remain in the top-25 of the team rankings, now holding the No. 25 spot with a RQS of 195.805. EMU's strongest event remains bars, as the team ranks No. 12 in the nation with a RQS of 49.190. Additionally, Eastern also holds a top-25 spot on beam, as the Green and White are No. 23 with a 48.980.
Individually, Kendall Valentin improved her top-10 standing on bars, as she now ranks No. 6 with a RQS of 9.925. Catie Conrad also ranks in the upper echelon on bars, tying for No. 42, while Lacey Rubin is tied for No. 59. Valentin also holds a top-50 spot on beam, as the junior stands at No. 50 with a 9.865.
Consistency from Conrad and McEachern: Through the first 11 meets of the season, Catie Conrad and Sydney McEachern have been incredibly consistent for the Eagles. In total, the pair have competed a total of 66 routines, posting 65 hit routines. Conrad has already posted 10 scores of 9.8 or better on bars, including a big 9.9 at WMU and against Towson, as well as nine scores of 9.75 or better on beam, highlighted by a career-high 9.9 against Kent State. McEachern has been one of the team's leaders on floor, notching a 9.85 against Towson and Bowling Green, as well as a season-best 9.875 against the Golden Flashes.
Last Time Out: The Eagles defeated Bowling Green this past weekend, 195.225 - 194.675, in a tough battle that remained close throughout. After three rotations, EMU clung to a lead of just .400, using a strong floor rotation to secure the victory. With the win, the Green and White clinched the team's first ever MAC regular season title.
On vault, Ciara Gresham and Kendall Valentin tied for third, each scoring a 9.825. Valentin also paced the team on bars, securing a 9.925 for the fifth time this season. Behind her, Lacey Rubin turned in a 9.875, while Natalie Gervais posted a 9.825.
As had been the trend, Valentin was also EMU's leading scorer on beam, winning the event with a 9.875. Similar to bars, Rubin finished second with a 9.80. Finally, Gresham had a career-day on floor, earning a personal-best 9.875, while Sydney McEachern, in the anchor position, came up clutch with a 9.850 to ensure the EMU victory.
Looking Ahead: After the MAC Championships, the Eagles will wait to learn their fate when it comes to NCAA Regionals. Although the team has mathematically secured a spot, the announcement of where the Green and White will head for regionals does not come until Monday, March 20.
Live Results
ESPN 3
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Following a regular season Mid-American Conference title, the No. 25 Eastern Michigan University women's gymnastics team now turns its attention towards the Mid-American Conference Championships, held Saturday, March 18, in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Eagles will look to make it two straight, as the Green and White claimed the program's second ever championship last season.
Following the Meet: Sunday's meet can be followed from home with live results, as well as an ESPN3 broadcast. Links can be found on the gymnastics schedule page of EMUEagles.com.
Scouting the MAC: Heading into the MAC Championships, the Eagles remain the top-ranked team in the conference with a RQS of 195.805. Kent State is just behind the Green and White, however, holding a RQS of 195.720. Rounding out the top-three is Central Michigan, who sits at 195.370. CMU also holds the highest score of the season at a 196.575, while Kent State has scored a 196.425. In addition to EMU, KSU, and CMU, Northern Illinois is the only other team to have scored above a 196, notching a 196.150 last week in Mount Pleasant. When factoring in the average team scores of the entire season, Kent State comes out on top with an average team total of 195.250, while Eastern maintains a 195.193 average. KSU and EMU are the only teams in the MAC to hold an average of 195-or-better throughout the year.
Last Time at the MAC Championships: The Eagles won their second ever MAC Championship last season, finishing with a team total of 196.425 to secure the title. The Green and White won the meet by a wide margin, as second-place Ball State claimed the silver with a 195.650.
Eastern began the meet on bars, totaling a 48.825 behind a big 9.90 from Kendall Valentin. Catie Conrad also had a solid routine, chipping in a 9.80. The team's best event of the meet came next, as the Eagles set a program record on beam with a 49.325. Natalie Gervais paced the squad with a 9.90, while Conrad, Lacey Rubin, and Valentin all posted 9.875's.
The positive momentum carried over to floor, as EMU totaled a 49.350 behind three scores of 9.90. Kimberly Ebeyer, Sydney McEachern, and Rachel Slocum all received a 9.90, while Ciara Gresham earned a 9.85. Closing out the meet on vault, Slocum earned a 9.85, while Conrad tacked on a 9.80 to put the Green and White at a 48.925 on the event.
Regular Season MAC Champions: The Green and White secured the team's first ever MAC Regular Season Title this past weekend in the victory against Bowling Green. Within the conference, Eastern finished with a record of 5-1, defeating Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Kent State, Ball State, and Bowling Green, while falling to Northern Illinois.
Locked In for Regionals: For the second time in program history, the Eagles are mathematically locked for a berth to the NCAA Regionals. The MAC has two teams in position to head to regionals, as both EMU and Kent State have secured their spots, while Central Michigan and Western Michigan are still in the hunt, sitting at No. 36 and No. 38, respectively. This year, the six regional sites include Fayetteville, Ark., Gainesville, Fla., Urbana-Champaign, Ill., Lincoln, Neb., Seattle, Wash., and Morgantown, W. Va.
All-MAC Honorees: For the second straight season, both Kendall Valentin and Catie Conrad were named to the All-MAC teams. Valentin secured first team honors for the second consecutive year, as she finished the season as the top bars performer in the conference. Conrad, on the other hand, was named second team after wrapping up the regular season as the third-best bars competitor in the MAC.
Best Beam Total of the Season: While in Morgantown, the Eagles posted their second-best beam total in program history, erupting for a 49.300 behind five scores of 9.825-or-better. Leading the way was Natalie Gervais, who won the event after tying her career-high with a 9.925. Three Eagles also notched a 9.85, with Catie Conrad, Kendall Valentin, and Ciara Gresham all earning the score. Gresham's mark was also a personal-best. Finally, Lacey Rubin rounded out EMU's scoring five with a 9.825.
Late Season Surge: Against Towson, Feb. 20, the Green and White finished with a 196.000, the team's best total of the season. The top team score of the season came in large part due to incredible team performances on bars and floor. Eastern tied the program record once again on bars, amassing a 49.250 behind a 9.925 from Kendall Valentin and a 9.90 from Catie Conrad. The Eagles also had their best floor rotation of the year, notching a 49.150 after a pair of 9.85's from Ciara Gresham and Sydney McEachern.
Later in the week, EMU scored a 195.950 against Ball State, Feb. 24, posting the Eagles' best beam total of the season. EMU's 49.075 on beam was not only the best of the year, but it was also tied for the sixth-best event total in program history. Natalie Gervais led the charge, scoring a 9.875, while Valentin kicked in a 9.85 and Conrad added a 9.825. Conrad also turned in her best all-around score of the year, notching a 39.300, which was just short of her career-best.
Two weeks ago, the team turned in its best meet of the season, notching a big 196.225 on the road at West Virginia. The Eagles finished off the meet with their best rotation of the day, posting a 49.300 on beam, which was the second-best beam total in program history. Gresham had a career-day, setting new personal-bests on vault and beam with scores of 9.875 and 9.850, respectively. Additionally, Valentin tied the program record on bars with a career-high 9.950, while Gervais tied her career-best on beam with a 9.925.
Conference Rankings: EMU has now competed in 11 meets this season against 15 opponents, with just the postseason remaining. As of the most recent rankings, the Eagles still hold the top-ranked spot in the MAC, as they hold a RQS of 195.805, while second-place Kent State sits at a 195.720. When it comes to individual events, EMU sits atop the conference on bars and beam, while holding fifth on both vault and floor.
Kendall Valentin remains in the top-spot on bars, as she maintains a RQS of 9.925. In fact, Valentin is one-of-two gymnasts in the conference to hold a bars RQS of 9.90-or-better. Additionally, Catie Conrad sits at No. 3 on the event with a RQS of 9.870, while Lacey Rubin remains in a tie for No. 5 at 9.860. Valentin also holds No. 3 on beam with a RQS of 9.865, while Conrad and Rubin are tied for No. 8.
Top EMU Bars Squad: With 11 meets in the books for the 2017 season, the Eagles currently own four of the top-10 event totals on bars in program history. This season's team lays claim to the No. 1, No. 2, No. 8, and No. 10 bars scores in the EMU record books, having set the program record earlier in the season, and then tied it against Towson, Feb. 20. In fact, EMU has scored a 49 or better on the event nine times this season.
EMU in the National Rankings: Following another strong regular season, the Eagles remain in the top-25 of the team rankings, now holding the No. 25 spot with a RQS of 195.805. EMU's strongest event remains bars, as the team ranks No. 12 in the nation with a RQS of 49.190. Additionally, Eastern also holds a top-25 spot on beam, as the Green and White are No. 23 with a 48.980.
Individually, Kendall Valentin improved her top-10 standing on bars, as she now ranks No. 6 with a RQS of 9.925. Catie Conrad also ranks in the upper echelon on bars, tying for No. 42, while Lacey Rubin is tied for No. 59. Valentin also holds a top-50 spot on beam, as the junior stands at No. 50 with a 9.865.
Consistency from Conrad and McEachern: Through the first 11 meets of the season, Catie Conrad and Sydney McEachern have been incredibly consistent for the Eagles. In total, the pair have competed a total of 66 routines, posting 65 hit routines. Conrad has already posted 10 scores of 9.8 or better on bars, including a big 9.9 at WMU and against Towson, as well as nine scores of 9.75 or better on beam, highlighted by a career-high 9.9 against Kent State. McEachern has been one of the team's leaders on floor, notching a 9.85 against Towson and Bowling Green, as well as a season-best 9.875 against the Golden Flashes.
Last Time Out: The Eagles defeated Bowling Green this past weekend, 195.225 - 194.675, in a tough battle that remained close throughout. After three rotations, EMU clung to a lead of just .400, using a strong floor rotation to secure the victory. With the win, the Green and White clinched the team's first ever MAC regular season title.
On vault, Ciara Gresham and Kendall Valentin tied for third, each scoring a 9.825. Valentin also paced the team on bars, securing a 9.925 for the fifth time this season. Behind her, Lacey Rubin turned in a 9.875, while Natalie Gervais posted a 9.825.
As had been the trend, Valentin was also EMU's leading scorer on beam, winning the event with a 9.875. Similar to bars, Rubin finished second with a 9.80. Finally, Gresham had a career-day on floor, earning a personal-best 9.875, while Sydney McEachern, in the anchor position, came up clutch with a 9.850 to ensure the EMU victory.
Looking Ahead: After the MAC Championships, the Eagles will wait to learn their fate when it comes to NCAA Regionals. Although the team has mathematically secured a spot, the announcement of where the Green and White will head for regionals does not come until Monday, March 20.
Players Mentioned
AA
/ Gymnastics
V, BB, FX
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
V,BB,FX
/ Gymnastics
AA
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