Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan at Central Michigan

Results

The Big Storyline: Central Michigan had another sensational meet this week, recording its second 196.425 (a number that the team had not hit in three years prior to last week). The Chippewas will be going into the MAC championship as the favorites, which is a position they are familiar with. Eastern Michigan also had an outstanding day, recording a season high and breaking 196 for the first time in 2021. 

Implications: Eastern Michigan surpasses Western Michigan in the rankings this week. Currently there are still five teams in regionals position: Central Michigan, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Ball State. It also worth noting that these five teams are separated by less than four tenths of a point when looking at team average score, so expect conference championships to be an intense battle for the title.

Records: Ball State’s event score for bars was the second-highest in school history and best in 20 years. There were also a handful of career highs recorded at this meet, most notably: Hannah DeMers’ 39.525 in the all around and 9.950 on floor; Jada Rondeau’s 39.425 in the all around, 9.875 on bars and 9.825 on vault; and Haydn Crossen’s 9.925 on vault, which tied her for eighth-best program score.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 34 Ball State, No. 32 Eastern Michigan and No. 29 Western Michigan at No. 26 Central Michigan

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: Think of this as a mini-preview for what we can expect to see at the conference championship in a couple weeks. These four teams are all within mere tenths of each other in regards to their current NQS and averages, and while Central Michigan has the highest ceiling of the bunch, any of these teams are more than capable of walking away the victor. This should absolutely be a close and exciting meet to watch.

Need More Proof? Both Central Michigan and Western Michigan have hit that 196 mark this season, and Eastern Michigan and Ball State have fallen just shy of it with both their high scores coming in at 195.975. As far as individual performers, we have our eyes on Western Michigan sophomore Payton Murphy and Central Michigan sophomore Hannah DeMers, who are currently ranked No. 31 and No. 33 in the all around, respectively. Both Sierra Demarinis and Taylor Pitchell have received a 10 from at least one judge for their floor routines this season, so make sure you tune in when the Chippewas are on that event. Jada Rondeau and Bri Price are not to be missed on beam for Eastern Michigan. Ball State freshman Victoria Henry has an impressive Yurchenko 1.5, and senior Arden Hudson set a new program record for her beam routine this season as well.