Gymnasts look for first win in MAC
The CMU gymnastics squad looks for their first Mid-American Conference win as it faces Bowling Green State University Saturday.
The meet begins at 7 p.m. at the Eppler Center Complex.
“We are really looking forward in back into competition,” Head Coach Jerry Reighard said.
BGSU (1-0) defeated Missouri 193.775 to 193.275 in their first meet of the season. The Falcons are ranked No. 17 in the nation, according to GymInfo.
Marny Oestreng led the Falcons, as she won the all around with a 39.275 vault and floor exercise with a 9.9 and place second on bars with a 9.825.
Oestreng is a former All American and is a co-MAC all around champion along with Sarah Dame of CMU.
Central (1-2, 0-1) lost to Eastern Michigan 192.1 to 192.075 last Sunday, which is the closest loss in MAC history.
The Chippewas had to count five falls and several tenths of points were lost because the gymnasts were not sticking their landings.
“We had several unlikely mistakes that cost us,” Reighard said. “Both the coaches and team were shocked that we had falls on each of the events.”
He said the team cannot have the same let downs against the Falcons.
“We are looking for the whole team to step up,” Reighard said. “There’s nothing in our routines our athletes can’t do.”
Against Eastern there seemed to be a lack of focus on the team's routines that caused several mistakes, he said.
Kara Reighard won the all around with a score of 38.525. She finished first on bars and beam with a score of 9.8.
Michele Orloski vaulted for the first time since Christmas and score a 9.65. Jerry Reighard said she will compete on vaulting and is optimistic about competing on floor exercise.
“She’s determined to get into the floor line up, we will have to wait and see,” he said.
Also, as a team the Chippewas improved by 2.7 points from their previous meet, but Reighard said the team can at least score a 194.
