MEET 5 • Eastern vs Illinois-Chicago • Feb. 3, 2019

17 Individual MAC Champions // 2007, 2016, 2017 MAC Champions // 27 NCAA Regional Qualifiers

Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 • Chicago, Ill. • Dorin Forum 3-4 (2-1 Mid-American Conference) Head Coach: Katie Minasola (Massachusetts, 2003) vs #ROUTE19 Illinois-Chicago Flames 7-4 (1-0 Midwest Independent Conference) 2019 SCHEDULE/RESULTS Co-Head Coaches: Peter Jansson (Stockholm, 1984) and Mary Jansson (Illinois-Urbana, 1982) Dec. 3 at Michigan (Ex.) 2nd, 192.000 at Michigan 195.125 MEET INFORMATION EMU PROBABLE LINEUPS vs. Central Michigan 191.85 Date: Sunday, Feb. 3 VAULT BARS vs. Western Michigan 191.725 1. Cali Harden 1. Sydney Audet Jan. 12 at Pittsburgh Quad 4th, 192.700 Time: 12 p.m. 2. Jada Rondeau 2. Charlotte Reynolds 3. Emili Dobronics 3. Megan Hultgren vs. West Virginia 195.500 Site: Chicago, Ill. 4. Megan Hultgren 4. Emili Dobronics vs. Utah State 194.600 5. Ciara Gresham 5. Cortney Bezold at Pittsburgh 194.750 Arena: Dorin Forum 6. Allie Smith 6. Jada Rondeau Jan. 18 at NIU Triangular 2nd, 194.300

at Northern Illinois* 194.675 Live Stats: http://statb.us/b/244103 BEAM FLOOR 1. Megan Hultgren 1. Caitlin Satler vsWestern Michigan 192.000 Live Stream: facebook.com/uicwgym 2. Bri Price 2. Allie Smith Jan. 24 BALL STATE* W, 194.125-192.875 COACHING STAFF 3. Emili Dobronics 3. Shannon Gregory Jan. 31 at Bowling Green* W, 194.150-193.975 Head Coach Katie Minasola 4. Shannon Gregory 4. Ciara Gresham Feb 3 at Illinois- Chicago 12 p.m. Overall Record 11-11 5. Caitlin Satler 5. Jada Rondeau Feb. 8 WESTERN MICHIGAN 6 p.m. Record at EMU 11-11 6. Jada Rondeau 6. Emili Dobronics MAC Record at EMU 6-4 Feb. 15 at Central Michigan* 7 p.m. EASTERN MICHIGAN STORYLINES, STREAKS AND SIDEBARS Feb 22. at George Washington Tri 7 p.m. Assistant Coach Danielle Guider CHICAGO -- The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team vs. Towson 7 p.m. Vol. Assistant Coach Sam Higgins travel to the Windy City to take on the University of Illinois- at George Washington 7 p.m. Student Manager Lacey Rubin Chicago, for a Sunday matinee, Feb. 3, at the Dorin Forum. Mar. 1 MICHIGAN STATE 6 p.m. The Eagles look to carry the momentum from Thursday’s Mid- Mar. 10 at Western Michigan* 1 p.m. MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE American Conference victory into the quick turnaround at UIC. Mar. 15 KENT STATE* 6 p.m. Gymnastics Contact Jessica Crusan EMU overcame an unexpected road trip to Bowling Green Mar. 23 MAC Championships TBA Office Phone 734.487.0318 State University, beating the Falcons 194.150-193.775, in a MAC Cell Phone 248.982.4279 showdown. Apr. 6 NCAA Regionals TBA

E-mail [email protected] * - Mid-American Conference game; Associate AD Greg Steiner FOLLOWING THE MEET: Fans can follow the meet against the Home games in BOLD CAPS; All times are EST Assistant Director Katie Gonzales Flames through the Eagles’ live stats system, found on the EMU PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Assistant Director Kyler Ludlow gymnastics schedule page on EMUEagles.com. UIC will also Sydney Audet aww-dett Graduate Assistant Maddie Heaps provide a live video stream through its Facebook page. Cortney Bezold bee-zold Creative Video Intern Frank Kurtz Carly Kosanovich Co-sonn-o-vitch LAST TIME OUT: The Green and White took care of business Karalyn Roberts care-uh-linn against BGSU, clipping the Falcons 194.150-193.775, Jan. 31 in Jada Rondeau jay-duh ronn-dough SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER Katie Minasola minn-uh-so-luh Twitter @EMUGym | #RoutE19 | #StayDriven Bowling Green, Ohio. The Eagles saved their best performances @EMUAthletics | #EMUEagles for the last rotation with a season-high beam score of 49.075. ROADTONATIONALS.COM @katieteft Senior Megan Hultgren, junior Emili Dobronics, and freshman Instagram @EMUGym Caitlin Satler all posted career-highs on beam to lift EMU to Since 2013, RoadToNationals.com has been used as a hub for information surrounding both men’s @EMUAthletics victory. Hultgren and Satler both posted 9.875s, and Dobronics and women’s gymnastics in the NCAA. As the Facebook /EMUAthletics | /EMUGym followed closely behind with 9.825. official statistical site of the NCAA, RTN includes EMU also saw career-highs efforts from sophomoresCortney information in regards to each program in the athletic association, including analytics, records, Bezold and Cali Harden, both tying for first in their events. Bezold rankings, past performances and outcomes, hit 9.850 on bars and Harden posted 9.800 on vault. coaching personell, rosters, meet details, and everything a fan could need. EMUEagles.com • @EMUAthletics 1 @EMUGYM • #EMUEagles MEET 5 • Eastern Michigan vs Illinois-Chicago • Feb. 3, 2019 IN RECENT HISTORY: Eastern looks to continue its recent success against UIC, having competed against the Flames seven times over the last ten years. The Green and White hold a 5-2 record with EMU having won the last five-consecutive meetings. Last season’s victory over Illinois-Chicago, Feb. 2, was stamped by a couple of career- best performaces from then-freshmen Cali Harden, Jada Rondeau, and Cortney Bezold on the Eagles’ home floor. Harden posted a 9.725 on vault, Rondeau put up a 9.825 on floor, and Bezold stuck a 9.750 on bars.

CONTINUING TO CLIMB: Freshman Caitlin Satler is showing she is a force to be The Katie Minasola File reckoned with posting career-bests in consecutive meets. She destroyed her previous Katie Minasola was named as the fifth Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach at Eastern Michigan University, July 25, 2017, by Vice President/Director of best on beam (9.775), marked against Ball State Jan. 24, hitting a huge 9.875 against Athletics Scott Wetherbee. The 2018-19 season marks Minasola’s second season at the helm of EMU gymnastics. Bowling Green, Jan 31. Her score tied for first with teammate, Megan Hultgren. A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Minasola has helped 11 teams to NCAA Regional appearances, including five with Iowa State University and six at Satler also posted a career-high performance on floor against Ball State with 9.775, Michigan State University. Minasola spent the past six years working at Iowa State as both an and matched that against the Falcons on Thursday. assistant coach and the associate head coach, and has a total of 13 years of coaching experience. She arrives in Ypsilanti following a stint at ISU, where she started as an assistant coach before assuming associate head coach responsibilities during the 2017 campaign. While with the Cyclones, she PICKING UP STEAM ON BEAM: Eastern is continuing to improve on beam, having focused on the beam and assisted in the choreography of the floor routines. Last year in Ames, the Cyclones were successful in their efforts to return posted season-highs on the appartatus in consecutive meets. EMU hit a high of 48.675 to the postseason, making their way into the top-25 twice while qualifying for the NCAA Lincoln Regional. The Cyclones finished the year tied for the second against Ball State Jan. 24, led by freshman Caitlin Satler’s career-high of 9.775. The most improved in the top-30 of the regular season rankings. In addition, she helped Haylee Young qualify for the NCAA National Championship in the Green and White followed up that performance with 49.075 against the Falcons Jan. all-around. While ISU missed out on making Regionals as a team in 2016, the 31, led by three career-high performances. Senior Megan Hultgren and freshman foundation was laid as Meaghan Sievers reached the postseason on vault. The 2015 campaign saw one of Iowa State’s top seasons on the beam in Caitlin Satler topped the event with 9.875s, while junior Emili Dobronics finished program history. The Cyclones saw Caitlin Brown earn regular season and postseason All-America honors under Minasola’s watch. Brown and Sammie fourth with 9.825. Pearsall tied the ISU record on beam, each recording a 9.95 during the 2015 season. The team also posted a 49.425 on beam, the third-highest team score in school history. In her second year at Iowa State, Minasola coached Michelle Shealy to LOOKING AHEAD: The Eagles return to the Convocation Center Friday, Feb. 8, at 6 the best finish at the NCAA Championship on beam in Cyclone history and to All-America First-Team honors. Shealy scored 9.900 on beam to qualify to the p.m. for a matchup with in-state foe Western Michigan University. event finals and her 9.8375 score and fifth-place finish are the best-ever by a Cyclone on beam at the event finals. Minasola also coached Caitlin Brown Eastern has already bested the Broncos this season, 194.300-192.00, at the NIU to All-Big 12 Championship honors on beam after the sophomore scored 9.875 on the event at the 2013 league meet. Triangular, Jan. 18. Look for the Green and White’s meet with the Broncos on Eagles In her first season at ISU, both the floor and beam teams were fixtures in the top-25 national rankings and Shealy placed second on beam at the All-Access, available through EMUEagles.com. Cyclones’ 2012 NCAA regional competition. Minasola began her coaching career at Michigan State University, where she spent seven seasons working with the Spartans’ gymnastics program. Her position at MSU also included working with the floor exercise competitors FRESHMAN FIRSTS: Freshman Charlotte Reynolds saw her first collegiate action on choreography for routines, and she was the team’s academic liaison. During her time in East Lansing, the Spartans reached the NCAA against Ball State, Jan. 31. Reynolds competed in beam and posted a 9.450, tying for Regionals six consecutive seasons (2006-11), including posting a pair of top-three team finishes in 2008 and 2011. ninth, and looks to build from that performance this week against BGSU. A 2016 inductee into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame, Minasola’s track record of domestic competition is impressive in-and-of itself. At the 1993 Junior Olympics National Championship, the Geddert’s Twistars USA product captured a first-place finish on the balance beam, as well as first MICHIGAN EXHIBITION: For the fourth straight season, EMU took part in an exhibition place all-around in the children’s division. Minasola went on to claim two fourth place all-around finishes that year, first at the U.S. Classic and again hosted by the . The exhibition included two Mid-American at the U.S. Championship, both in the junior division. She also finished first on the floor and ninth all-around at the Catania Cup Classic in Sicily, Italy in Conference foes, Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University. 1993. In 1994, Minasola took first place in the all-around (junior division) at EMU finished with a final score of 192.0, besting the likes of CMU (191.85) and both the U.S. Classic and the American Classic/World Championship Trials. She also anchored a first-place team finish as well as fifth all-around amongst WMU (191.725), while coming up short against the Wolverines (195.125). competitors from across the globe at the 1994 Hilton Challenge, and finished eighth all around at the 1994 Coca-Cola National Championships. Minasola’s The Eagles posted an event score of 48.6, led by senior Ciara Gresham, who posted skills took her to Barcelona, Spain, where she competed in the Joaquim Blume Memorial and posted a third-place all-around finish. Eastern’s highest score of 9.775 in her first time back into the official lineup since Jan. The following year at the American Classic/Pan American Game Trials, she captured fifth place on bars and beam, while finishing sixth on the 13, 2017. Junior Emili Dobronics and sophomore Cali Harden also turned in solid floor and fifth in the all-around. Minasola’s performance propelled her to become a member of the 1995 U.S. Pan American gold medal-winning team. performances, each recording a 9.725 to tie for 12th overall. Minasola earned a fourth-place finish on the balance beam to contribute to the team victory at the Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. She Dobronics claimed EMU’s highest individual score of all performances on the day, also performed at the 1995 Visa Challenge, guiding her team to a first-place finish, while individually she placed third in the all-around, sixth on vault, marking a 9.8 on floor to place fifth overall in the event. fourth on bars, sixth on beam and third on floor. After her success at the Pan American Games, Minasola was eighth in the all-around at the 1996 U.S. Classics, also tying for first in the uneven parallel bars. At the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials, Minasola ranked eighth all-around, DYNAMIC DOBRONICS: Junior Emili Dobronics was named to the All-Mid-American which allowed her the opportunity to serve as an alternate for 1996 U.S. Olympic team. She also contributed to a first-place team finish at the 1996 Conference Second Team for her efforts in 2018. Dobronics was the seventh Eagle to earn Senior Pacific Alliance Championships in Kuantan, Malaysia, by placing second in the floor exercise and third on the bars. All-MAC honors in gymnastics since the conference created them in 2013. Minasola began her collegiate career as a freshman gymnast at the University of Massachusetts in 2000. In her debut season, she was honored A workhorse for Eastern throughout the season, Dobronics competed in the all-around as Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for three straight weeks (Jan. 31, Feb. 8, Feb. 14, 2004), tied the school record on bars (9.950) and beam (9.925), and in all but two meets. The Orland Park, Ill. native marked new career-highs in each event scored 39.175 all around on two occasions, good for fourth place all-time at UMass. throughout the season, including a score of 9.9 on floor which she earned in EMU’s win As a sophomore, Minasola tied her own all-time university record with a 9.950 on bars. She scored a 9.900 or higher six times in the event in 2001, against Kent State, Feb. 25. Altogether, the junior accumulated 10 performances that including a conference-best 9.950. She also scored 9.800 or higher three times on beam that same year. In 2002, Minasola established herself as the warranted a score of 9.8-or-higher, and eclipsed a 39 in the all-around four times. all-time UMass record holder on both bars (9.975) and went on to become the Atlantic 10 Conference Champion on bars with a score of 9.950. She also Beyond the regular season and conference competition, Dobronics acted as one-of- took fourth place on bars (9.800) at the 2002 NCAA Northeast Regional. To complete her collegiate career, Minasola transferred to Mid-American three Eagle qualifiers for the NCAA Regional meet. Additionally, that served as her second Conference rival Central Michigan University, where she set the school’s all- time record on bars with two perfect 10.0 performances in 2003. She earned trip to regionals, having marked a 9.75 on floor as a freshman when the team qualified in the top score of 9.975 on bars at the MAC Championships, and was also a regional champion on bars (9.900), which qualified her for Nationals. 2017. Minasola is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2003. She and her husband, Mike, have one son, Jake.

EMUEagles.com • @EMUAthletics 2 @EMUGYM • #EMUEagles MEET 5 • Eastern Michigan vs Illinois-Chicago • Feb. 3, 2019

Front (L-R): Megan Hultgren, Cali Harden, Megan Benzie, Jada Rondeau, Shannon Gregory, Cortney Bezold, Carly Kosanovich, Kara Roberts Back (L-R): Sydney Audet, Bri Price, Ciara Gresham, Caitlin Satler, Charlotte Reynolds, Allie Smith, Emili Dobronics, Brooke Hylek, Carly Clark

EMU SELECTED FOURTH IN MAC PRESEASON POLL: After losing five seniors from last year, the Mid-American Conference preseason poll selected Eastern fourth in the conference. The Eagles finished fourth in the MAC last season and are looking to top that performance this year.

SUPER SOPHOMORES: Eastern will rely heavily on the outstanding sophomore class, which includes five gymnasts who had stellar rookie campaigns. The second-year student-athletes consisting of Megan Benzie, Cortney Bezold, Cali Harden, Bri Price, and Jada Rondeau, combined for 21 performances that earned a 9.75-or-better in their first year of competition.

EAGLES WELCOME RETURN OF ELLA DOVER: This will be the third year as a member of the Green and White for Ella, as the Eagles, in unison with Team IMPACT, announced Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, that the team signed 10-year old Ella Dover to a ceremonial letter of commitment to join the team for the next few years. Ella suffers from chronic epilepsy and has multiple seizures daily. This, however, does not have an impact on her attitude, as she is always smiling and approaching life with a positive mentality. Ella will be a regular at practices and meets, and will also join the Green and White for team activities and events throughout the year. This season, the Eagles honor Ella with the hashtag “#EforElla” to show support for the admirable and brave team member.

KEY RETURNERS: The Eagles lost a talented group of seniors over the offseason, which consisted ofKirsten Gendron, Megan Marino, Lacey Rubin, Jules Schwartz, and the program’s first-ever All-American, Kendall Valentin. Despite the turnover, EMU returns a strong group of student-athletes, including 2018 NCAA Regional Qualifier, juniorEmili Dobronics. Along with Dobronics, Eastern welcomes back eight Eagles who were consistently relied upon last season. Included in the aforementioned group is senior Megan Hultgren, who is poised for a stellar final season after posting career-highs in all four events a season ago. Additionally, senior Ciara Gresham, a 2017 Mid-American Conference All-Tournament selection, looks to return to competition after battling with injury in 2018. Gresham has marked career-bests of 9.875 in both vault and floor, as well as a 9.85 on beam while donning the Green and White, all of which were marked in the 2017 season.

EMUEagles.com • @EMUAthletics 3 @EMUGYM • #EMUEagles MEET 5 • Eastern Michigan vs Illinois-Chicago • Feb. 3, 2019 The EMU Record Book All-Around NEW FACES IN THE GYM: EMU welcomes six freshmen to the 2019 squad: freshmen 1. Natalie Hashimoto 39.725 Shannon Gregory, Brooke Hylek, Carly Kosanovich, Charlotte Reynolds, Kara Roberts, 2. Leah Hashimoto 39.475 and Caitlin Satler. 3. Natalie Hashimoto 39.450 4. Natalie Hashimoto 39.425 EAGLES ON ESPN3: For the fourth consecutive season, the Eagles will have one of their 5. Natalie Hashimoto 39.375 home meets broadcast on ESPN3. In addition, this season fans will be able to watch Vault their Eagles compete on ESPN3 against MAC-opponents Ball State, Jan. 24 and Central 1. Natalie Hashimoto 10.000 Michigan, Feb. 15. 2. Natalie Hashimoto 9.975 3. Natalie Hashimoto 9.950 4. Natalie Hashimoto 9.925 t-4. Rachel Slocum 9.925 5. Natalie Hashimoto 9.900 t-5. Rachel Johnson 9.900 t-5. Leah Hashimoto 9.900 t-5. Tawna Bennett 9.900 t-5. Rachel Slocum 9.900 t-5. Kendall Valentin 9.900 Bars t-1. Natalie Hashimoto 9.950 t-1. Kendall Valentin 9.950 t-2. Kendall Valentin 9.925 t-2. Lacey Rubin 9.925 3. Natalie Hashimoto 9.900 t-3. Lindsey Gamrod 9.900 t-3. Leah Hashimoto 9.900 t-3. Jennifer Charlebois 9.900 t-3. Catie Conrad 9.900 t-3. Natalie Gervais 9.900 t-3. Lacey Rubin 9.900 t-3. Kendall Valentin 9.900 Beam 1. Natalie Hashimoto 10.000 2. Natalie Gervais 9.925 t-3. Natalie Hashimoto 9.900 t-3. Jenika Faes 9.900 t-3. Jennie Spindler 9.900 t-3. Rebecca Fuss 9.900 t-3. Catie Conrad 9.900 t-3. Natalie Gervais 9.900 t-3. Lacey Rubin 9.900 t-3. Kendall Valentin 9.900 Floor t-1. Natalie Hashimoto 9.950 t-1. Sara Wasilenko 9.950 t-1. Leah Hashimoto 9.950 t-1. Brooke Morari 9.950 7. Emily Koechel 9.925 Overall Score 196.600 at Bowling Green 02-13-16 Vault 49.350 at Missouri 03-02-03 Bars 49.300 at MAC Championships 03-18-17 Beam 49.325 at MAC Championships 03-19-16 Floor 49.425 MAC Championships 03-19-04 EMUEagles.com • @EMUAthletics 4 @EMUGYM • #EMUEagles MEET 5 • Eastern Michigan vs Illinois-Chicago • Feb. 3, 2019 2019 Roster

Sydney Audet Megan Benzie Cortney Bezold Carly Clark Emili Dobronics Ella Dover 5-2 Senior 5-1 Sophomore 5-0 Sophomore 5-3 R-Junior 5-3 Junior

Shannon Gregory Ciara Gresham Cali Harden Megan Hultgren Brooke Hylek Carly Kosanovich 5-0 Freshman 5-5 Senior 5-2 Sophomore 5-3 Senior 5-5 Freshman 5-3 Freshman

Bri Price Charlotte Reynolds Kara Roberts Jada Rondeau Caitlin Satler Allison Smith 5-3 Sophomore 5-5 Freshman 5-2 Freshman 5-0 Sophomore 5-4 Freshman 5-5 R-Sophomore

Name Events Ht. Cl. Hometown / High School Sydney Audet AA 5-2 Sr. Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview Megan Benzie AA 5-1 So. Roanoke, Va. / Cave Spring Cortney Bezold AA 5-0 So. Maineville, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick Carly Clark AA 5-3 R-Jr. White Lake, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern Emili Dobronics AA 5-3 Jr Orland Park, Ill. / Carl Sandburg Ella Dover TEAM Impact Shannon Gregory AA 5-0 Fr. Edison, N.J. / John P. Stevens Ciara Gresham AA 5-5 Sr. Shiloh, Ill. / Belleville Cali Harden AA 5-2 So. Saline, Mich. / Saline Megan Hultgren AA 5-3 Sr. Rockford, Ill. / Sacred Heart Classical Center Brooke Hylek AA 5-5 Fr. Eagle, Mich. / Grand Ledge Carly Kosanovich AA 5-3 Fr. Moon Twp., PA. / Moon Area Bri Price AA 5-3 So. Kings Mountain, N.C. / Homeschool Charlotte Reynolds AA 5-5 Fr. Leominster, Mass. / Leominster Kara Roberts AA 5-2 Fr. Pinckney, Mich. / Pinckney Jada Rondeau AA 5-0 So. Norwood Young America, Minn. / Central Caitlin Satler AA 5-4 Fr. Orland Park, Ill. / Carl Sandburg Allison Smith AA 5-5 R-So Telford, Pa. / Souderton

Head Coach: Katie Minasola (University of Massachusetts, 2003) -- second season Assistant Coach: Danielle Guider (University of Missouri, 2010) -- second season Volunteer Assistant: Sam Higgins -- second season Student Manager: Lacey Rubin -- first season

EMUEagles.com • @EMUAthletics 5 @EMUGYM • #EMUEagles