Gymnastics looks to regain the Mid-American Conference title
Its season won’t start for another month, the Central Michigan gymnastics team has its eyes set on regaining the Mid-American Conference Championship.
In 29 years as CMU's head coach, Jerry Reighard has led CMU to 14 MAC championships and also led the Chippewas to a winning record in 16 of the past 17 seasons.
Last season, the Chippewas finished with a 12-3 record, good for third in the MAC behind Eastern Michigan (1st) and Kent State (2nd) with a conference record of 4-2.
The Chippewas season ended in the NCAA Regionals last season with a fifth-place finish, placing above MAC-rival Kent State and finished the season ranked 33rd in the country.
The key matchups for the Chippewas this season will be on the road against Kent State on Feb. 19 and at home against Rutgers on March 5.
Kent State and Central Michigan have been at the top of the MAC for the better part of 20 years. Only twice in the last two decades has a team other than CMU or KSU won the conference championship.
“The goal every year is to win the MAC regular season and tournament championship,” Reighard said. "The seniors this year look to step up and help lead the Chippewas to the goal."
CMU will have to replace seniors Karlee Teet, Jordan Charrette, Taylor Bolender and Megan Lamphere.
Key returners for the Chippewas will be sophomore Kasey Janowicz and junior Katy Clements.
Janowicz was named MAC Freshman of the Year and named to the All-MAC Second Team last season. Janowicz competed in all four events last season averaging 38.983 points combined in each meet.
Clements was also named to the All-MAC Second Team last season. She averaged a 9.75 on beam and a 9.643 on vault.
The gymnastics season begins at 1 p.m. on Jan. 8 at McGuirk Arena against Wisconsin EAU Claire/Hamline.
