Senior gymnasts prepare for MAC Championship
Seniors Cheryl Conlin, Andrea de la Garza and Samantha Ursch have been a constant in Central Michigan University's gymnastics room since they came to Central Michigan in 2007.
With the completion of their final regular season meet last Saturday, the athletes concluded what can be considered a very successful career in the gym.
For CMU coach Jerry Reighard, the victory Saturday was a prime example of the mental strength his seniors have displayed throughout their careers.
“I was just really proud of our seniors. They were able to shed that feeling (of increased pressure) and not let it affect their performance,” Reighard said.
The seniors have paced Chippewas to their best record (17-1) since Reighard arrived in 1984, and have a total of 67 wins (33 Mid-American conference) in their careers.
For Conlin, her career as an all-around gymnast has landed her a first team All-MAC honor, after a win in the 2010 MAC Championships. Conlin has competed in all but two meets since her freshman season. To Reighard, Conlin’s growth in her time at CMU comes down to maturity.
“Cheryl has just changed so much over the years,” Reighard said. “And (she) has just really matured and found her own competitive nature.”
Conlin will look to win a MAC Championship in the floor exercise Saturday at McGuirk arena.
de la Garza began her career with a dominant freshman season. She was awarded the MAC Freshman of the Year, as well as first-team All-MAC honors after winning the all-around competition in the MAC Championship.
“Dre’ has really never missed a beat. She came into the program able to compete at a high level and has maintained that her entire career,” Reighard said.
The Macomb native won another All-MAC award in 2010 following a tie for first place in the floor exercise (9.850) in the MAC championship. This week, de la Garza was named the MAC gymnast of the week for the third time in her career.
The third member of the trio is Ursch from Godfrey, Ill., who, despite battling injuries for much of her career, has been a consistent force in the practice gym.
Missing the 2010 and most of 2011 season to injury, Ursch has competed throughout this season in exhibition rotations. Ursch posted a career-high 9.450 on the vault last season. Reighard said Ursch has contributed a lot behind the scenes for the program.
“Sam has really added some depth to our program, and I just have watched her grow and mature through out her career,” Reighard said.
That senior experience will be challenged when the team hosts the MAC Championship. Conlin said the seniors on the team will have to be prepared to show the underclassmen how to attack the weekend.
“I feel the seniors and juniors need to show them (underclassmen) that’s how MAC’s are going to go and prepare them mentally,” Conlin said.
