Central Michigan University Athletics
No. 13 Chippewas Eye Third Straight MAC Title
3/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
March 21, 2005
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THIS WEEK
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University will go for its third consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship this Friday at Northern Illinois University. The meet will begin at 6 p.m.
The team will have to compete without Kara Reighard, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Head coach Jerry Reighard feels as long as his daughter is on the sidelines the team will rally.
"Going into the MAC Championship without the team's and MAC's number one all-arounder is a very difficult situation for the team to be in," said Reighard. "We have three days to prepare for this meet. We have to refuse to lose."
The Chippewas are the only team this season to go 6-0 in the MAC.
Kent State finished 4-2 in the MAC, while Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green finished 3-3. Western Michigan and Ball State ended their season's with 1-5 records.
LAST WEEK
CMU beat Northern Illinois with a score of 196.725-193.200, posting its season-high score for the year.
Despite losing their top gymnast senior Kara Reighard after the first event (vault) due to a torn ACL, the team won every event except the all-around competition.
Individually, nine girls posted or tied their season-high scores, and four set or tied career-high scores.
"Posting the best scores of the season shows the character of each of these women," said Reighard. "What happened today will continue this week (at the MAC Championship)."
CMU junior Mattie Crawford placed first and tied her career-best on vault with a 9.900. She also tied for first on floor with a 9.900.
Chippewa senior Sara Burtsinksy and freshman Rhiannon Banda-Scott tied for second on the vault with a 9.800.
Senior Sara Burtinsky placed first and tied her career high on the bars with a 9.950, good for first. She also finished first on the beam with a 9.950, another season-high.
Freshman Rhiannon Banda-Scott finished third with a season-high on the bars (9.825) and took third on floor with a 9.875.
Burtinsky and Banda-Scott tied for second on the vault with a 9.800.
CMU sophomore Sheena Smith took second and posted a career-high mark on the bars with a 9.875 while senior Laura McLaren finished fourth (9.800), tying her season-high score.
Also on the beam, Chippewa senior Tiffany Dykstra took second and tied her career-best with a 9.900, while sophomore Jules Passy placed third and posted her career-high of 9.875.
