No. 23 Gymnastics Takes On Western Michigan And Illinois State

Feb. 3, 2003

THE MATCHUP: The Central Michigan University gymnastics team (11-1 overall, 1-0 Mid-American) heads to Kalamazoo for its third straight road meet this weekend. The Chippewas take on MAC opponent Western Michigan (0-7, 0-2 MAC) and Illinois State (2-2 Midwest Independent).

CMU, now ranked 23rd nationally, is coming off a big upset over No. 11 Michigan in a second-place finish at the State of Michigan Classic last weekend.

"We are really feeling confident now," said head coach Jerry Reighard. "We're looking for another confidence boost against Western."

This weekend's meet will be the second meeting this season with the Broncos for CMU. The Chippewas defeated Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan at the Michigan Classic.

The Broncos are in a slump with an 0-7 record this year. The team hasn't been able to break into the 193 range for team scores. The Broncos scored a 192.000 at the Michigan Classic and Kelly Rush competed as WMU's only all-arounder. She finished ninth with a 37.475.

"It finally feels like we are making the right step in a forward direction on this team," said Reighard. "We are mentally tougher and better."

CMU leads the series against WMU, 41-18-1, and against ISU, 9-3.

ISU has wins over UW-LaCrosse and Southeast Missouri State.

"Illinois State is a well-coached team," said Reighard. "It will be a good competition and hopefully we won't compete too tight or tenatively."

The Redbirds are coming off a 196.475-193.600 loss to Missouri, but posted a team season-high 48.450 on bars. Denise Houda notched the highest all-around score for ISU with a 38.500.

CMU welcomed back the return of sophomore Shanna Duggan (Sault Ste. Marie). She hadn't competed prior to the Michigan Classic this year due to a foot injury.

"Shanna is about 90 percent," said Reighard. "She is doing routines to insure that she doesn't reinjure her foot. She had a huge mental impact in last week's meet and added good chemstry to the team."

RANKINGS: The Chippewas are ranked 23nd nationally with a total season average score of 193.912. CMU is ranked 22nd nationally on bars with a 48.569 team average.

HOME ADVANTAGE: In their last seven home meets, the Chippewas are 7-0. The last time CMU lost at home was against Eastern Michigan on Febuary 11, 2001.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Chippewas are 9-1 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: With a second-place finish at the State of Michigan Classic, the Chippewas posted a team-high score of 194.900 beating No. 11 Michigan (193.900), Eastern Michigan (192.525), and Western Michigan (192.000). CMU's only loss came to Michigan State (195.075).

The team scored season-highs on vault with a 48.625 and on beam with a 48.350.

Kara Reighard (Mount Pleasant/So.) finished third in the all-around with a season-high 39.300. She finished tied for second on floor (9.875), third on vault (9.850), eighth on beam (9.775), and tied for ninth on bars (9.800).

"Kara was on fire last weekend," said Reighard. "She told me she loves competing at Jenison Field House from her days in club competition."

Senior Michele Orloski (Clifton Park, N.Y.) tied for third on beam with a 9.850.

Duggan returned to action after suffering a foot fracture earlier this season. She scored a 9.8 on floor and vault, and a 9.125 on bars.

Also competing in the all-around for CMU was sophomore Sara Burtinsky (Oshawa, Ont.). She placed eighth with a 37.750.

Michigan's Janessa Greico took first in the all-around (39.350) and Jennifer Deiley took second (39.325) for the Wolverines.

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 244-140-2 record and a 100-32 MAC slate.

UPCOMING: The Chippewas head to Kent, Ohio for a dual meet with MAC rival Kent State on February 14. The meet is set for 7 p.m.