Central Michigan University Athletics
No. 24 Gymnastics Remains Undefeated Heading Into Home Meet
2/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 17, 2003
THE MATCHUP: The No. 24-ranked Central Michigan University gymnastics team (14-1 overall, 3-0 Mid-American) appears to be the team to beat in the conference as it holds on to a perfect MAC record halfway through the season.
CMU is eyeing a chance to go 6-0 this season. "We are coming off of our toughest meet against Kent State," said head coach Jerry Reighard. "To come out with that win on the road was a huge confidence builder for us."
The Chippewas are competing at home this Sunday against Northern Illinois and Pittsburgh. CMU's last home meet was on January 19. The team has not lost a home meet since February 11, 2001.
"A home meet is just what we need right now," said Reighard. "It gives us a mental break. The two meets we had at the beginning of the year helped set the tempo for the season. This meet will help maintain our tempo."
Northern Illinois is coming off a loss to No. 10 Michigan, 196.650-192.825. Kristina Campos placed fourth in the all-around with a 38.775. She had the highest NIU all-around score. Tiffany Nolen scored a 38.450, good for fifth place in the all-around.
The Huskies are 1-1 in the conference with a loss to Ball State and a win over Bowling Green. NIU posted a 194.675 over the Falcons.
"We saw NIU at the Cardinal Classic and they are much improved from last season," said Reighard. "They'll be good competition for us."
Pittsburgh scored a 195.225 in a loss to Ohio State (196.050) last weekend. Natalie Sulpher was the only Panther to compete in the all-around. She posted a 38.450.
Senior Heather Launse tied the school record on vault with a 9.85. The Panthers scored a 48.900 on vault to break the school record of 48.775, set earlier this season.
Pittsburgh also broke a school record on the beam. The team notched a 49.125 to break the old mark set in 2000.
"Pittsburgh has only scored a 195 once this year," said Reighard. "We'll have to put our best foot forward to come out on top. We're ready for this meet."
RANKINGS: The Chippewas are ranked 24th nationally with a total season average score of 194.387, while Northern Illinois is ranked 47th with an average score of 192.062. Pittsburgh is ranked 31st nationally with a 193.942 average.
CMU is ranked 22nd nationally on floor with a 48.900 team average and 24th on bars (48.625).
REGIONAL WATCH: The top five-to-six teams from each region qualify for the NCAA Regional competition in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on April 12.
Currently, CMU is sixth with a regional qualifying score (RQS) of 194.175.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Chippewas are 12-1 against opponents on the road this year. CMU's only loss came to Michigan State at the State of Michigan Classic on February 2.
LAST WEEKEND: The Chippewas kept their flawless MAC record with a win over No. 18 Kent State, the highest-ranked MAC team, last weekend.
For the second straight week, the CMU posted a 195-plus score. The Chippewas took down the Golden Flashes by a score of 195.225 to 194.275.
CMU handed Kent State its first MAC loss of the season.
Kara Reighard (Mount Pleasant/So.) tied the school record again in the all-around with a 39.425. She accomplished the feat last season at the MAC championships. Reighard took first in the all-around. She took first on beam with a career-high 9.850, second on vault with a career-high 9.875, tied for third on bars with a season-high 9.850, and tied for fourth on floor with a 9.850.
Sophomore Sara Burtinsky (Oshawa, Ont.) followed Reighard in the all-around taking second place with a 38.975. She tied for fifth on bars (9.825), placed fifth on beam (9.650), tied for sixth on floor (9.800), and tied for ninth on vault with a season-high 9.700.
KSU's Carrie Mayle took third in the all-around with a 38.275.
Katie Teft (Grand Rapids/Sr.) made a big impression in her first appearance for CMU. She took first place and tied the school record on bars with a 9.900. Teft had not competed because of an injury.
Michele Orloski (Clifton Park, N.Y./Sr.) and Shanna Duggan (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./So.) tied for third place on vault (9.850). Mattie Crawford (Plymouth, Minn./Fr.) tied for fifth with a 9.800. Crawford also tied for sixth on the floor exercise (9.800).
Duggan placed fourth on beam with a 9.750, while Orloski scored a 9.875 on the floor, good for third place.
The Chippewas posted team season highs on the vault (49.150) and on bars (49.100).
THE COACH: Jerry Reighard is in his 19th year at the helm of the CMU gymnastics program. Assisted by Christine MacDonald and Debbie Milligan, the Chippewas have captured eight MAC championships and made three appearances in the NCAA regionals.
He has compiled a 247-140-2 record and a 102-32 MAC slate.
UPCOMING: The Chippewas head to East Lansing for a matchup with Michigan State and Ball State on March 1. The meet is set for 7 p.m.
