Central Michigan University Athletics
Gymnastics Travels To Bowling Green
2/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT The Central Michigan University gymnastics team looks to build on its recent up swing this weekend as the Chippewas travel to Bowling Green for a meet on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m.
CMU posted its top score of the season last weekend as the squad defeated rival Western Michigan, 193.200-190.825. After starting the season off slow, Central Michigan has seen improvements of almost two points per meet over the past two contests. The Chippewas now stand at 2-7 overall, 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference.
“It was great to see how much confidence last weekend gave our team and it also showed what type of team we can be,” CMU head coach Jerry Reighard said. “When we started practice this week, I could sense something new with this group. They are starting to believe in themselves and each other, and that is a powerful thing. We now can shift our focus a little on some of the smaller elements that we need to clean up to be a top level team.”
Reighard knows this weekend will present a few challenges for this squad as they battle the Falcons.
“It is really important we follow up last week’s performance with another solid performance this weekend,” Reighard said. “One of our main struggle this year was putting together a compete meet with four solid events. We finally did that versus Western Michigan and the challenge now is showing that type of consistency meet after meet. We can’t have one great meet and then a bad one the next time out.
“Another important part of this weekend is seeing how we deal with the atmosphere at Bowling Green. Their competition venue is also their practice area, so it is a very comfortable setting. It is a tough place to focus and be mental ready because of the relaxed setting. It also gives Bowling Green an advantage because they work out every day in this gym and have a real comfort level. These are the type of things that can get a young team like us off track and it will be important we fight through these challenges.”
With the Chippewas continuing to struggle with injuries, CMU’s trio of all-arounders play a major role in its success. Jessica Neel and Andrea de la Garza both scored career-highs in the all-around against Western Michigan last weekend while Katie Simon continues to put up solid scores week in and week out for the Maroon and Gold.
“It was great to see Jessica and Andrea step up for us last weekend,” Reighard said. “When you are dealing with as many injuries as we are, your all-arounders play such an important role. We are counting on these three to give us solid and consistent scores on every event and they definitely did that versus WMU. They are starting to compete with confidence and their confidence seems to feed off each other. “
About the Falcons Bowling Green enters this weekend with a record of 6-3 after defeating Ball State on the road last weekend, 188.100-187.050. BGSU is currently tied for first place in the MAC with Kent State with both teams at 2-0. Bowling Green’s Jacquelyn Bernhardt was named the MAC’s Specialist of the Week on Tuesday after finishing first on vault and floor versus BSU. The Falcon’s other MAC victory came during the first weekend of the season when they beat Eastern Michigan at home.
Neel named MAC Gymnast of the Week - Jessica Neel became the second-straight Central Michigan University gymnast to earn Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week honors today. Teammate Katie Simon was named the Co-Gymnast of the Week last week.
Neel, a junior out of Fairborn, Ohio, put together a career night last weekend against Western Michigan by tallying career-bests in three events: the all-around (39.025), vault (9.825) and floor (9.775). She finished with the top score in the all-around and was second on vault. She also finished top three in every event. Neel played a key role as the Chippewas posted a season-high 193.200 in their victory over the rival Broncos.
CMU posted its top score of the season last weekend as the squad defeated rival Western Michigan, 193.200-190.825. After starting the season off slow, Central Michigan has seen improvements of almost two points per meet over the past two contests. The Chippewas now stand at 2-7 overall, 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference.
“It was great to see how much confidence last weekend gave our team and it also showed what type of team we can be,” CMU head coach Jerry Reighard said. “When we started practice this week, I could sense something new with this group. They are starting to believe in themselves and each other, and that is a powerful thing. We now can shift our focus a little on some of the smaller elements that we need to clean up to be a top level team.”
Reighard knows this weekend will present a few challenges for this squad as they battle the Falcons.
“It is really important we follow up last week’s performance with another solid performance this weekend,” Reighard said. “One of our main struggle this year was putting together a compete meet with four solid events. We finally did that versus Western Michigan and the challenge now is showing that type of consistency meet after meet. We can’t have one great meet and then a bad one the next time out.
“Another important part of this weekend is seeing how we deal with the atmosphere at Bowling Green. Their competition venue is also their practice area, so it is a very comfortable setting. It is a tough place to focus and be mental ready because of the relaxed setting. It also gives Bowling Green an advantage because they work out every day in this gym and have a real comfort level. These are the type of things that can get a young team like us off track and it will be important we fight through these challenges.”
With the Chippewas continuing to struggle with injuries, CMU’s trio of all-arounders play a major role in its success. Jessica Neel and Andrea de la Garza both scored career-highs in the all-around against Western Michigan last weekend while Katie Simon continues to put up solid scores week in and week out for the Maroon and Gold.
“It was great to see Jessica and Andrea step up for us last weekend,” Reighard said. “When you are dealing with as many injuries as we are, your all-arounders play such an important role. We are counting on these three to give us solid and consistent scores on every event and they definitely did that versus WMU. They are starting to compete with confidence and their confidence seems to feed off each other. “
About the Falcons Bowling Green enters this weekend with a record of 6-3 after defeating Ball State on the road last weekend, 188.100-187.050. BGSU is currently tied for first place in the MAC with Kent State with both teams at 2-0. Bowling Green’s Jacquelyn Bernhardt was named the MAC’s Specialist of the Week on Tuesday after finishing first on vault and floor versus BSU. The Falcon’s other MAC victory came during the first weekend of the season when they beat Eastern Michigan at home.
Neel named MAC Gymnast of the Week - Jessica Neel became the second-straight Central Michigan University gymnast to earn Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week honors today. Teammate Katie Simon was named the Co-Gymnast of the Week last week.
Neel, a junior out of Fairborn, Ohio, put together a career night last weekend against Western Michigan by tallying career-bests in three events: the all-around (39.025), vault (9.825) and floor (9.775). She finished with the top score in the all-around and was second on vault. She also finished top three in every event. Neel played a key role as the Chippewas posted a season-high 193.200 in their victory over the rival Broncos.
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