Gymnastics continues rivalry with Kent State
Ashley Williamson
CMU hosts the defending MAC champions Kent State 2 p.m. Sunday at Rose Arena.
“This is a huge meet,” said Head Coach Jerry Reighard. “The outcome will not be determined until the last dismount.”
Reighard never mentioned the words “Kent State” in his interview Wednesday.
“We will be focusing on ourselves and our routines,” Reighard said. “We can’t be worrying about that other team.”
CMU is competing with clean, solid performances and is looking to take over Rose Area, Reighard said.
“We can’t control the scores, so we are not worrying about them,” he said. “Our team knows a great effort, the number is what it is.”
The Chippewas (6-6 overall, 3-3 MAC) scored a season-high 195.525 in wins over Pittsburgh and Ursinus Saturday.
It was the sixth-best team score in CMU gymnastics history with season-highs on the vault (48.825), beam (48.775) and floor exercise (49.325).
Central took the top scores in three of four events.
“It was a huge confidence boost for us,” Reighard said. “We definitely have momentum carrying into this week.”
Junior Sarah Dame won the all around with a career-high 39.2 at Pittsburgh. She posted a career-high 9.875 on floor exercise and tied her career-high with a 9.825 on the vault.
Dame added a season-high 9.775 on bars and score of 9.725 on balance beam.
Freshman Kara Reighard was second in the all around with a season-high 38.85. She tied for first on bars with a career-high 9.85 and a career-high on floor exercise with a 9.875.
CMU improved its score from the weekend by 2.275 points. Freshman Shanna Duggan won the vault with a 9.85.
Junior Michele Orloski scored a 9.9 to win the floor exercise for the second consecutive week.
Jerry Reighard said he’s optimistic Orloski will compete Sunday after suffering a broken cyst in her wrist.
“She’s not going to miss the opportunity of this meet,” Reighard said.
Kent State (5-4, 3-1) finished last at the All-Ohio meet with a score of 194.35 and suffered its first MAC loss of the season to Bowling Green.
Senior Heather Langham led the Golden Flashes with a career-high 9.85 on balance beam and scored a season-high 39.325 in the all around.
The Golden Flashes are ranked No. 17 in the Gyminfo rankings. KSU ranks first in the MAC on floor (49.65), vault (49.225) and team score (196.2).
The Chippewas scored a school-record 195.950 and defeated the Golden Flashes in their practice gym last year and scored a 195.9.
The Golden Flashes defeated the Chippewas 195.675 to 194.9 at the MAC championship.
Since 1989, Central Michigan or Kent State has won the MAC championship.
