The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team hosted a match against the Ball State University Cardinals Saturday night. The Eagles suffered yet another close defeat, this time losing by a combined score of 194.075-193.975.
The match, though early in the season, also marked Senior Night for the Eagles as seniors Brittany Cassar, Camille Cicchini, Amanda Fuller and Kristina Kurkmilis were all honored after the meet.
For the Eagles, freshman Khadijah Hudson finished in the top five of all EMU participants in the vault (with a team best of 9.775), balance beam (a fourth place 9.55) and floor exercises (with a team best of 9.85). Hudson’s 9.85 in the floor exercises was the highest score for both teams.
“Khadijah is going to be a stud,” EMU coach Steve Wilce said.
“Khadijah is a kid that we recruited that we knew was going to be good.”
Departing senior Fuller was also impressed with Hudson’s performance.
“I think that’s great; that girl has been working her butt off,” Fuller said. “That girl is going to have some great things coming in the next four years. I’m excited to see her when I come back after I graduate.”
Despite the loss, Fuller was optimistic about things moving forward for the Eagles.
“I think it’s important that we look at the positive,” she said. “Even though some of us did really well, there’s always room for improvement. I think that when we put it all together, it will be absolutely amazing.”
Hudson also has high hopes for her team’s success for the remainder of the season.
“I think we just need to get more confidence in ourselves,” Hudson said. “I think it’s just frustrating to keep losing when you know you have a team that’s really, really good. I think we’re gonna pull it around.”
The gymnastics team next makes the nearly 4,000-mile trip to Anchorage, Alaska to take on the University of Alaska-Anchorage next Sunday. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. local time.
