KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The 2015 gymnastics season officially gets underway for Western Michigan Friday night, Jan. 16, as the Broncos host Lindenwood at 7 p.m. in University Arena. Admission to all WMU home meets is free.

The Broncos are under the direction of second-year head coach Penny Jernigan, who is assisted by Al Scharns in his first season with the program. WMU has a youthful squad as the team features just three juniors and the remaining 12 members on the roster are sophomores or freshmen.

Among the top returnees are juniors Jessi Buis and Kayla Weber. Buis was a Mid-American Conference champion on vault as a freshman in 2013 and last year earned Second Team All-MAC honors and qualified for the NCAA Regionals. Weber was a First Team All-MAC selection and the MAC Freshman of the Year in her first season. She holds the school all-around record and also qualified for regionals as a freshman.

Friday is the first of nine regular season meets for the Broncos this season, including four at home. Western Michigan will also host MAC opponents Northern Illinois (Feb. 1), Eastern Michigan (Feb. 20) and rival Central Michigan (March 15). The 2015 MAC Championships will be held Saturday, March 21 at Kent State.