Noonan returns, gymnastics beats BYU
In senior Taylor Noonan’s return to action, the Central Michigan University gymnastics team defeated Brigham Young University Friday night.
Noonan notched a 9.9 and a 49.1 on her two beam rotations during the win. Her return raised CMU's beam score 1.4 points from its last meet. Noonan had been inactive since Jan. 8 with a dislocated kneecap.
“(It was a) great return for her and truly and inspirational routine,” said Head Coach Jerry Reighard.
CMU finished with a team score of 196.15, beating both BYU and Utah State by more than a point in the Chippewas' second consecutive nonconference road meet.
The CMU upperclassmen were especially on display Friday night.
Senior Halle Moraw scored three 9.8s or higher, junior Karlee Teet contributed a 9.875 on vault and a 9.825 on the uneven bars. Senior Becca Druien managed a 9.825 on both beam and floor.
The final team score of 196 could be enough to get the Chippewas in the NCAA Top 25 for the first time this season.
Although CMU scored only one 9.9, the team performance is what Reighard said makes him the most optimistic.
“We talked about how we needed to take care of the performances and that would take care of the scores,” said Reighard “It’s really inspiring after we struggled a little bit. I thought that we had our heads in the right place. It makes it much easier for us to come back and practice.”
CMU finishes the regular season and Mid-American Conference season at 2 p.m. on Sunday against rival Western Michigan University. A victory over WMU gives CMU the MAC regular season title.
