Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Kent State
Gymnastics Downs No. 23 Kent, Takes Over MAC Lead
2/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 29, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan University gymnastics squad took control of the Mid-American Conference with a win over No. 23 Kent State on Sunday afternoon in Rose Arena.
The Chippewas downed the Golden Flashes, 196.050-195.525, for the fifth straight time and improved to 4-0 in conference action and 13-3. KSU fell to 4-1 in the MAC and 10-2 overall.
Juniors Kara Reighard and Sara Burtinsky led the way for CMU. They tied for first in the all-around competition with a score of 39.600, which was a season-high for both and a career-high for Burtinsky.
Reighard became just the second person in school history and third in MAC history to score a perfect 10.000 on the floor exercise. Michelle Orloski of CMU did it twice last season and Kent State's Jessie James scored a 10 last weekend.
Kara Reighard poses after scoring a perfect 10 on the floor.  | |
In addition to taking first in the all-around and on the floor, Reighard also took tied for the top spot on the beam with teammate Burtinsky. Both scored a 9.900.
Burtinsky rounded out her career-day with a victory on the vault, 9.875, and the bars with a career-high 9.950.
The Chippewas began the first rotation on the vault while KSU was on the bars and immediately built a 48.700-48.325 lead. CMU moved to the event that has given it the most trouble this season, bars, in the second rotation and increased their lead by scoring a season-high 49.100.
Two freshmen, Sheena Smith and Jules Passy, led off on the bars and got the ball rolling. They scored 9.675 and 9.750 respectively. Laura McLaren came off the injured list and scored a 9.750 while Tiffany Dykstra scored the same.
CMU held a sizable .750 advantage after the second rotation and held on for the win.
The Golden Flashes were led by MAC "Gymnast of the Week" Jessie James who took third in the all-around with a score of 39.325.
It was CMU's 23 straight win over a MAC oppenent and its 15th straight at home.
The Chippewas have two regular-season meets left and with wins in both would get the top seed in the MAC Championship. They will travel to Bowling Green on March 5 and return home on March 12 for a meet with Western Michigan.
