Central Michigan University Athletics
Gymnastics Host Kent
2/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 7, 2000
THE TEAM: The Central Michigan University gymnastics team (7-5 overall, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) hosts Kent State University (5-4 overall, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) on Sunday, Feb. 13, in Rose Arena at 2 p.m.
THE COACH: Head coach Jerry Reighard enters his 16th season at the helm of the Chippewa gymnastics program. Reighard has led CMU to seven Mid-American Conference championships and an appearance in the NCAA regionals in 1999. He has coached 16 MAC individual champions, seven first team academic All-MAC picks, four NCAA regional qualifiers and one NCAA championship qualifier.
LAST WEEKEND: The Chippewas took fourth at the Michigan Classic hosted by Western Michigan last Sunday. Michigan won the meet with 196.425 points and was followed by Michigan State (194.325), Western Michigan (192.375), CMU (191.650) and Eastern Michigan (188.900).
Freshman Tammy Verrinder (London, Ontario) led the Chippewas with a second-place finish on the vault with a school-record tying 9.90. Her 9.90 on the vault tied the CMU record set by Selina Nickason in 1997. Verrinder also tied for eighth on the bars with a season-best 9.725 and tied for 14th on the floor exercise with a 9.725. She posted CMU's top scores on the bars and vault on the afternoon.
Senior Nikki Liphardt (Ajax, Ontario) tied for second on the floor exercise with a 9.850 while sophomore Bethany Couturier (Grand Rapids) tied for fourth in the all-around with a 38.050.
SCOUTING KENT: Kent split last weekend, losing to Ball State, 193.925-193.850, and beating Bowling Green, 193.850-191.425. The Golden Flashes are currently ranked 34th in the nation.
SCHOOL RECORD: Freshman Tammy Verrinder tied CMU's school record in the vault at the Michigan Classic. Verrinder recorded a 9.90 that tied Selina Nickason's mark from 1997.
SOLID PERFORMANCE: Besides setting a school record, Tammy Verrinder also tied for eighth on the bars with a season-best 9.725 and tied for 14th on the floor exercise with a 9.725.
SEASON BEST: Freshman Tara Cartier (East Granby, CT) tied for 10th on the balance beam with a season-best 9.775. Her score was the top mark of the day for the Chippewas on the beam. Freshman Michele Orloski (Clifton Park, NY) posted a season-high 9.70 on the beam while Nikki Liphardt had a season-best 9.70 on the vault.
UPCOMING: The Chippewas travel to Eastern Michigan on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.
