The Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-3, 1-3) fell to the Northern Illinois Huskies on Friday, Feb. 7, on Senior Night at the Convocation Center. The final score was 196.125-194.375, in favor of the Huskies, despite Jada Rondeau tying her career-high on the vault with a score of 9.850. She also tied her career-best on the beam with a score of 9.875.
Beginning with the vault, the first two gymnasts for the Eagles were Rondeau and Kara Roberts, both of whom scored 9.775 in the event. Next up were Emily Dobronics and Cali Harden, who each scored 9.750. Hannah Hartung finished the event for the Eagles, scoring a 9.700. This brought Eastern Michigan’s collective score to 48.750, as the Huskies had 48.825.
The second rotation brought the Eagles to the bars, where Rondeau tied her career-high of 9.850 to earn the top spot in the event. She was then followed by Courtney Bezold, who scored a 9.825 to gain the third spot in the event. Despite the Eagles best efforts, Eastern Michigan went into the third rotation trailing Northern Illinois 96.425-97.825.
The Eagles scored a collective 49.225 on their trip to the beam, tying their previous season-best. Caitlin Satler and Brianna Price both had career-highs with scores of 9.900 and 9.875, respectively. Dobronics contributed 9.825 and freshman Mickayla Stuckey scored a 9.750 to put the score at 145.650-146.800 at the end of the third rotation.
The four seniors that were honored on Senior Night were Megan Benzie, Dobronics, Ella Dover and Xarria Lewis. Benzie did not compete in 2019 but has a career-high score of 9.775 on the floor exercise versus Bowling Green on Jan. 19, 2018. Lewis, also an all-around gymnast, is a redshirt senior who transferred in from the Missouri Tigers.
Dobronics has been one of the most consistent gymnasts for the Eagles over the last few years and that has continued during this year as she has earned her career-high in the vault with a score of 9.800 against Western Michigan on Jan. 24, 2020. She will look to finish off her career as EMU has six regular season events remaining.
The Eagles will return to action on Friday, Feb. 14, against Georgia and Ball State in the Georgia Triangular in Athens. Eastern will then take on Ball State again two days later. The last three events of the regular season will be against Air Force (Feb. 29), Michigan State (March 7) and Kent State (March 13).
