Central Michigan University Athletics
Gymnastics Opens Season This Weekend
1/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT The Central Michigan University gymnastics team starts its 2008 season this weekend with a pair of tough tests.
The Chippewas open the year with No. 8-ranked Oklahoma at home on Friday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. The squad then travels to Illinois State on Sunday, Jan. 13, for a meet at 5 p.m. CST.
“This is going to be a big start to the season with two tough challenges right off the bat,” CMU head coach Jerry Reighard said. “Oklahoma is one of the most powerful teams in the nation. Also, I expect a great atmosphere in Rose Arena for that meet and we will see if we can handle the home crowd pressure.
“Illinois State will be a solid opponent and a chance for us to prepare ourselves for life on the road in the MAC. Our mental toughness and focus will also be tested with two meets in such a short span of time.”
Having two meets in a single weekend is unusual for CMU, but the opportunity to face one of the top teams in the nation was too much to pass up.
“I have always felt that facing a top tier opponent brings out the best in a team,” Reighard said. “I know that our gymnasts will be really geared up for this meet because they want to compete against the best. I think this is really going to benefit us down the road. We are going to see how we measure up against one of the top teams in the nation this early in the season.
“The tough part will come between the two meets because it is important we remain focused and keep the right mindset. We have been working in practice on working hard two days in a row so we are physically prepared for the meet at Illinois State. We also want to make sure we are rested because competing twice in three days can really take a lot out of you.”
The Chippewas have battled injuries throughout the preseason and will be missing a few key performers early in the season, but coach Reighard knows that this will give some of CMU’s newcomers a chance to show what they can do.
“Our injuries have opened the door for some underclassman and I have been impressed how some of them have really risen to the occasion,” Reighard said. “I feel our top three competitors on each event can compete with anyone, so the important thing is getting people to fill those final two spots. We have talked a lot during the preseason how it takes a total team effort to win a championship and this is a great example of that.”
A Look At Oklahoma The Sooners enter this weekend ranked eighth in the nation after defeating Iowa, West Virginia and Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Cancun Classic last weekend. OU earned the victory by posting a score of 195.175 with senior Kiara Redmond-Sturms leading the way with an all-around score of 39.425. Oklahoma returns 11 letterwinners from a team that finished eighth nationally last season. OU defeated CMU last season in Norman, Okla., 196.125-191.025
A Look At Illinois State The meet against CMU will be the season opener for the Redbirds. The Chippewas were also the season opening opponent for ISU last year as CMU earned a 191.075 - 180.400 victory at home. Illinois State finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference last year. The Redbirds return 10 gymnasts from a year ago.
Head Coach Jerry Reighard - Reighard enters his 24th season as the head coach. His tenure has been marked by success as he has guided 10 teams to Mid-American Conference crowns while earning six MAC Coach of the Year honors along the way. He was named the 2003 NCAA Central Regional Coach of the Year after leading the Chippewas to a second-place finish at the NCAA Regionals. Reighard has compiled a 336-173-3 dual meet record and a 151-40 MAC record during his coaching career. His MAC record is the best in conference history.
Chippewas In The Polls CMU is the lone MAC squad receiving votes in the national preseason coaches poll. Along with Oklahoma, the Chippewas have three other ranked teams on the schedule: No. 9 Michigan, No. 21 Michigan State and No. 25 NC State. Next weekend’s opponent, Iowa, is also receiving votes in the poll.
The Chippewas open the year with No. 8-ranked Oklahoma at home on Friday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. The squad then travels to Illinois State on Sunday, Jan. 13, for a meet at 5 p.m. CST.
“This is going to be a big start to the season with two tough challenges right off the bat,” CMU head coach Jerry Reighard said. “Oklahoma is one of the most powerful teams in the nation. Also, I expect a great atmosphere in Rose Arena for that meet and we will see if we can handle the home crowd pressure.
“Illinois State will be a solid opponent and a chance for us to prepare ourselves for life on the road in the MAC. Our mental toughness and focus will also be tested with two meets in such a short span of time.”
Having two meets in a single weekend is unusual for CMU, but the opportunity to face one of the top teams in the nation was too much to pass up.
“I have always felt that facing a top tier opponent brings out the best in a team,” Reighard said. “I know that our gymnasts will be really geared up for this meet because they want to compete against the best. I think this is really going to benefit us down the road. We are going to see how we measure up against one of the top teams in the nation this early in the season.
“The tough part will come between the two meets because it is important we remain focused and keep the right mindset. We have been working in practice on working hard two days in a row so we are physically prepared for the meet at Illinois State. We also want to make sure we are rested because competing twice in three days can really take a lot out of you.”
The Chippewas have battled injuries throughout the preseason and will be missing a few key performers early in the season, but coach Reighard knows that this will give some of CMU’s newcomers a chance to show what they can do.
“Our injuries have opened the door for some underclassman and I have been impressed how some of them have really risen to the occasion,” Reighard said. “I feel our top three competitors on each event can compete with anyone, so the important thing is getting people to fill those final two spots. We have talked a lot during the preseason how it takes a total team effort to win a championship and this is a great example of that.”
A Look At Oklahoma The Sooners enter this weekend ranked eighth in the nation after defeating Iowa, West Virginia and Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Cancun Classic last weekend. OU earned the victory by posting a score of 195.175 with senior Kiara Redmond-Sturms leading the way with an all-around score of 39.425. Oklahoma returns 11 letterwinners from a team that finished eighth nationally last season. OU defeated CMU last season in Norman, Okla., 196.125-191.025
A Look At Illinois State The meet against CMU will be the season opener for the Redbirds. The Chippewas were also the season opening opponent for ISU last year as CMU earned a 191.075 - 180.400 victory at home. Illinois State finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference last year. The Redbirds return 10 gymnasts from a year ago.
Head Coach Jerry Reighard - Reighard enters his 24th season as the head coach. His tenure has been marked by success as he has guided 10 teams to Mid-American Conference crowns while earning six MAC Coach of the Year honors along the way. He was named the 2003 NCAA Central Regional Coach of the Year after leading the Chippewas to a second-place finish at the NCAA Regionals. Reighard has compiled a 336-173-3 dual meet record and a 151-40 MAC record during his coaching career. His MAC record is the best in conference history.
Chippewas In The Polls CMU is the lone MAC squad receiving votes in the national preseason coaches poll. Along with Oklahoma, the Chippewas have three other ranked teams on the schedule: No. 9 Michigan, No. 21 Michigan State and No. 25 NC State. Next weekend’s opponent, Iowa, is also receiving votes in the poll.
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