Central Michigan University Athletics
Twisters Wrap Up Season At NCAA Regional
4/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
April 8, 2002
THE TEAM: The Central Michigan University gymnastics team (18-13 overall, 9-3 Mid-American Conference) wrapped up the 2002 season with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Regional tournament on April 6 in Baton Rouge, La.
THE COACH: Jerry Reighard completed his 18th year at the helm of the CMU gymnastics program. Reighard is assisted by Christine MacDonald and Debbie Milligan. Reighard has compiled a 233-139-2 record and a 95-33 MAC slate. He has guided the Chippewas to eight MAC Championships and three appearances in the NCAA regionals.
LAST WEEKEND: The team wrapped up competition with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA regional championships at Louisiana State on Saturday night. The Chippewas posted a team score of 193.675. LSU and Florida each qualified to advance to the NCAA championships.
LSU (196.450) and Florida (195.900) were one and two, respectively, while Iowa State (195.400), Central Michigan (193.675), New Hampshire (193.075) and Illinois State (189.975) rounded out the rest of the field.
Shanna Duggan (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Fr.) had the best individual finish. She tied for second on the vault with a 9.875. Some other top performances were Michele Orloski (Clifton Park, N.Y./Jr.) with a second-place showing on the floor (9.900) and Bethany Couturier (Grand Rapids/Sr.) who tied for fourth on the beam with a 9.800.
Kara Reighard (Mt. Pleasant/Fr.) turned in CMU's best showing on the beam and in the all-around. Reighard turned in a 9.650 on the beam (tied for 15th) and posted a 38.950 in the all-around competition. She finished eighth in the all-around competition. Sarah Dame (Maple City/Jr.) was 16th in the all-around with a 38.125.
OTHER NOTES: Orloski nailed her fifth 9.9 on the floor exercise this season. She also tied her season-high on the vault with a 9.750. Tiffani Berra (Bay City/So.) turned in a career-high 9.875 on the floor exercise. None of the Chippewas qualified for NCAA nationals this year. Nicole Bills in 1999 and Nikki Liphardt in 2000 were the last two gymnasts to qualify.
