Recap courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletic Communications
Eastern Michigan 191.575, Wilberforce 155.025
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team stayed perfect at home, moving to 6-2 on the season with a victory over Wilberforce University at the First Responders Meet Thursday, Jan. 29, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Eastern posted a team score of 191.575 to secure the win, marking back-to-back seasons opening 3-0 at home. The result also stood as Eastern's largest victory margin since Jan. 24, 2021, when the Eagles topped Bowling Green with a 52.7-point margin. The meet featured steady performances across all four events, with Eastern winning every single event, and another all-around victory from Kyrie Lowe, as Eastern honored local fire, police, and EMT first responders throughout the evening.
Eastern opened the meet on vault and posted a 48.200 team total. Gwendelyn Cantu (Joliet, Ill./Providence Catholic) led the rotation with a 9.700 to claim first on the event. Savanna Dunwoody (Spearfish, S.D./Spearfish) followed with a 9.675, while Kendall Landry (Frisco, Texas/Wakeland) and Georgie Slack (Uttoxeter, England/Thomas Alleynes) each scored 9.625 to stay near the top of the standings. Abby Brushwood (State College, Pa./State College Area) added a 9.575 to complete the scoring lineup, as Eastern swept the top five spots on vault against Wilberforce.
The Eagles moved to bars and totaled 46.875 as Eastern again controlled the event. Lowe (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista) and Analiah Solorio (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield Senior) shared the top spot with 9.650 scores, with Solorio matching her season best. Slack followed with a season-high 9.525, while Keeley Kohler (Davison, Mich./Powers Catholic) added a 9.175 to round out the scoring lineup. Cantu and Sanai Evans (Norcross, Ga./Paul Duke STEM) delivered early routines as Eastern maintained separation from Wilberforce on the second event.
Beam came next as Eastern posted a 48.000 team total. Jackie Patterson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) won the beam title with 9.850 to lead the rotation. Katin Childress (Prosper, Texas/Prosper) followed in second with a 9.725, while Solorio added 9.650. Freshman Macy Nihart (East Lansing, Mich./Home School) matched her season best with a 9.625 to close the scoring lineup. Genae Daniel (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) delivered a steady exhibition routine at 9.700 her career high.
Eastern closed the meet on floor with a 48.500 team score to finish the night strong. Brushwood led the event with a winning 9.825 to seal the team victory. Priya Karle (Canton, Mass./Canton) followed with a new season high of 9.750, while Lowe added a 9.675. Dunwoody posted a 9.650, and Nihart contributed 9,600. Evans capped the rotation with a career-high 9.500 as Eastern controlled the final event.
Lowe also captured the all-around title with a score of 37.875, marking the top all-around performance of the meet.
