WMU lands four on Academic All-MAC gymnastics team

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Four Bronco gymnasts were recognized as Academic All-Mid-American Conference, as voted by faculty athletic representatives at MAC institutions. Western Michigan University had the second most number of honorees in the conference and junior Kayla Weber of Canton led the 18 members of the Academic All-MAC team with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average, studying biomedical sciences. 

Also representing WMU was senior Shelby MacDonald of Saulte Ste. Marie, Ontario; junior Michelle Adams of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and sophomore Jessi Buis of Holland. MacDonald carried a 3.58 in physical education, while Adams has a 3.78 in biomedical sciences and Buis maintains a 3.79 in pre-nursing.

All 17 members of the 2014 roster had cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher at the conclusion of the 2013-14 academic year. Eight of the 17 were 3.7 or higher, and 13 gymnasts had GPAs of 3.5 or better.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.

Buis, MacDonald, Adams and Weber were among the Broncos' top competitors this past season. Both Buis and MacDonald were voted Second Team All-MAC and were NCAA regional qualifiers. Each was also recognized as a MAC Specialist of the Week.

Adams made her first career appearance as an all-arounder and had season highs of 9.825 (V), 9.750 (UB), 9.625 (BB) and 9.750 (FX). She competed in eight regular season meets, as well as the MAC Championships.

Buis finished first or runner-up on vault in all six MAC meets, winning four. She was first or second on vault in nine of 10 overall meets and finished no lower than fourth.

MacDonald won five of six MAC competitions on the uneven bars and won the event in six of 10 total meets. She tied the third highest score in school history with a 9.875.

Weber competed as an all-arounder in all 10 regular season meets, as well as the MAC Championships. She had six top-four finishes in MAC meets and added four more out of conference. She led WMU with the team’s highest season average on the balance beam.