Eastern Michigan University’s freshman gymnast Khadijah Hudson finished out the Eagles’ season with a NCAA Regional Championship performance Saturday at the University of Alabama.
“It was an honor to get down there for her as a freshman,” EMU coach Steve Wilce said. “We were hoping she would make it as an all-arounder.”
Hudson competed on the floor exercise in the Tuscaloosa Regional and recorded a 9.800 in 22nd place.
At the Mid-American Conference championships March 23, Hudson posted a 9.845, which helped her qualify for the NCAA regional competition as the individual event specialist on the floor.
By qualifying for regional competition, Hudson became the first EMU gymnast to qualify since Nikole Viltz in 2011.
“This is just the first step for [Hudson],” Wilce said.
It has been even longer since an EMU freshman has qualified for the NCAA regional competition on floor. That last happened during the 2010 season with Kaylyn Millick. The former Eagle posted a 9.775 during her NCAA regional reign.
Hudson has played an impactful role on the team during her freshman year.
“She really has a bright future,” Wilce said. “Hopefully, she’ll lead us to bigger and better things a year from now.”
