Central Michigan University Athletics
Seniors Lead Gymnastics to a Victory
3/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT With seniors Danielle Espinoza and Jenna D'Alie leading the way in their final home meet, the Central Michigan University gymnastics team earned a victory over Ball State on Saturday evening, 192.150-191.950.
The Chippewas improve to 6-11 on the year, 2-4 in the Mid-American Conference while Ball State falls to 1-11, 0-6 in the MAC.
Espinoza earned event wins on beam (9.850) and floor (9.850) while D’Alie tied for the event title on bars (9.800). D’Alie also competed on floor for the first time this season and posted a career-best, 9.700.
“I am so proud of Jenna and Danielle because they really willed us to this victory tonight,” CMU head coach Jerry Reighard said. “Every time we needed a spark, whether it was Jenna on bars or Danielle on beam, they provided it. I hope our team learned what it takes to be a leader from them because their leadership is so valuable to us.
The meet came down to the final rotation with CMU on floor and Ball State on beam and the Cardinals leading, 144.850-144.450. It was CMU’s seniors who led the way as Espinoza won floor with a 9.850 while D’Alie led off the event with a career-high 9.725 as CMU scored a 47.700 compared to a 47.100 for BSU.
“I am glad we got the victory but we need to learn how to put teams away,” Reighard said. “We had multiple opportunities to put together a sizable lead but kept having to count falls. A couple people, Cheryl Colin and Vanessa Rodriguez, really stepped up and had standout performances but didn’t get the consistency we needed out of our other gymnasts.”
The Chippewas got off to a fantastic start with a season-high 48.950 on vault. Leading the way for CMU was Andrea de la Garza with a career-high 9.925 while Neel also posted a career best with a 9.875. Those scores were good enough for first and second overall as the Chippewas took the top four spots. It also gave CMU the lead as Ball State scored a 48.275 on bars.
The duo of Vanessa Rodriguez and D’Alie led the Chippewas on bars as they shared the event title with a 9.800. The Maroon and Gold posted a 47.900 on the event to give it a 96.850-96.075 lead through two events.
Espinoza tallied a season-high 9.850 to lead the Chippewas on beam. That was first overall while teammate Andrea de la Garza took second with a 9.775 and Conlin finished third (9.650). Unfortunately for CMU, the squad had to count two falls for an event total of 47.600 as BSU took the overall lead with a 48.775 on floor.
The Chippewas improve to 6-11 on the year, 2-4 in the Mid-American Conference while Ball State falls to 1-11, 0-6 in the MAC.
Espinoza earned event wins on beam (9.850) and floor (9.850) while D’Alie tied for the event title on bars (9.800). D’Alie also competed on floor for the first time this season and posted a career-best, 9.700.
“I am so proud of Jenna and Danielle because they really willed us to this victory tonight,” CMU head coach Jerry Reighard said. “Every time we needed a spark, whether it was Jenna on bars or Danielle on beam, they provided it. I hope our team learned what it takes to be a leader from them because their leadership is so valuable to us.
The meet came down to the final rotation with CMU on floor and Ball State on beam and the Cardinals leading, 144.850-144.450. It was CMU’s seniors who led the way as Espinoza won floor with a 9.850 while D’Alie led off the event with a career-high 9.725 as CMU scored a 47.700 compared to a 47.100 for BSU.
“I am glad we got the victory but we need to learn how to put teams away,” Reighard said. “We had multiple opportunities to put together a sizable lead but kept having to count falls. A couple people, Cheryl Colin and Vanessa Rodriguez, really stepped up and had standout performances but didn’t get the consistency we needed out of our other gymnasts.”
The Chippewas got off to a fantastic start with a season-high 48.950 on vault. Leading the way for CMU was Andrea de la Garza with a career-high 9.925 while Neel also posted a career best with a 9.875. Those scores were good enough for first and second overall as the Chippewas took the top four spots. It also gave CMU the lead as Ball State scored a 48.275 on bars.
The duo of Vanessa Rodriguez and D’Alie led the Chippewas on bars as they shared the event title with a 9.800. The Maroon and Gold posted a 47.900 on the event to give it a 96.850-96.075 lead through two events.
Espinoza tallied a season-high 9.850 to lead the Chippewas on beam. That was first overall while teammate Andrea de la Garza took second with a 9.775 and Conlin finished third (9.650). Unfortunately for CMU, the squad had to count two falls for an event total of 47.600 as BSU took the overall lead with a 48.775 on floor.
Gymnastics vs Ball State Cinematic recap
Tuesday, March 17
Gymnastics vs Ball State
Friday, March 13
Chatting Chippewas - Luciana Alvarado-Reid
Friday, February 06
Gymnastics Cinematic Recap - Western Michigan
Sunday, January 25