Gymnastics hosts WMU Saturday
The CMU gymnastics team hosts Western Michigan at 2 p.m. Sunday in Rose Arena.
It’s the Chippewas first home meet of the season.
“It’s good to finally be at home,” said Head Coach Jerry Reighard. “We are very optimistic about the meet.”
He said it’s a great opportunity for the team to build confidence. Also, the team will look to get out of its falling mode.
CMU had nine falls last weekend and counted six in their final score, three on balance beam en route to a fourth place finish at the Michigan Classic.
Reighard said CMU has to be precise in their routines, especially on balance beam.
“The meet Sunday will boil down to a beam contest,” Reighard said.
The team that hits five of six routines wins the meet, he said.
WMU posted a season-high 48.525 on balance beam at the Bronco Triangular earlier this season.
Central scored a season-high 47.975 en route to score a 194.125 to defeat Northern Illinois.
The team has counted at least two falls on balance beam at each meet this season.
Western Michigan is the only team the Chippewas defeated at the Michigan Classic last weekend, 191.3 to 189.925.
Senior Bethany Couturier scored a 9.825, which tied for fourth on balance beam. She also scored a season-high 9.725 on bars.
Freshman Sara Burtinsky finished fifth on the uneven bars with a 9.825 and scored a career-best 9.675 on the vault.
Reighard said Burtinsky is doubtful for Sunday because of the flu.
“We have three open line-up spots now,” Reighard said. “We have some tough decisions to see who will fill them.”
Senior Sarah Nelson and freshman Laura McLaren scored 9.775 on bars, at the Michigan Classic.
The Broncos highest score this season is a 192.925 at the Bronco Triangular. CMU’s top score is 194.125.
However, Reighard said the team is not looking past the Broncos.
“It’s not an assured victory,” he said. “Every team in the MAC is still aimed to beat us.”
Halfway through the season the Chippewas, 3-6 overall and 2-3 in the MAC, have underachieved, said Reighard.
“We are not scoring what we envisioned,” Reighard said. “I never thought we could score below a 194.”
The Chippewas have scored below 194 points in four of their five meets.
Reighard said the number of falls the team is counting has been a surprise and ahome win is a start to turn around its season.
“We’re excited to have a group of support from our fans that we haven’t had this season,” Reighard said. “The more fans that come, the better our athletes will rise to the occasion.”
