Sara Wright performs during her routine on the uneven beams against Bowling Green State University Sunday. Bowling Green narrowly defeated Western Michigan University 192.600 to 191.850. Jo Wei Looi/Western Herald
The Western Michigan University gymnastics team recorded its highest team score in the 2010 season on Sunday, but still fell to Bowling Green University, 192.600 to 191.850.
WMU outshined the Falcons on both the vault and bars but tied with identical scores on the floor.
The strongest event for the Brown and Gold was bars, as the team scored a 48.675 while Bowling Green posted a 48.475.
In the rest of the events, WMU posted a 47.675 on vault, 46.975 on beam and 48.325 on the floor.
Leading the way for the Lady Broncos was sophomore Meghan Donovan and junior Kristine Garbarino who placed first on the floor and bars. Garbarino also won the all-around competition for her fourth straight meet with a score of 38.875.
On the bars, Donovan earned a career-high 9.825 on her way to first place, and teammate Caroline O’Brien took second with a score of 9.775. O’Brien and Garbarino also tied for third on the beam, each taking a score of 9.675.
Also contributing to the team total was senior Liz Prouty who put up a 9.625 on vault and a 9.775 on the floor.
WMU returns to University Arena on Sunday in a quad meet against Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
The Lady Broncos will be wearing red, white and blue to pay tribute to the nation’s armed forces. Reserved seating will be held for active military and veterans, and members of the Western Michigan ROTC will be in attendance.
The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
David Kuzara, the new Western Michigan University women’s gymnastics head coach, looks on during one of their practices at the beginning of the season. Jo Wei Looi/Western Herald
