Central Michigan University Athletics
Gymnastics Opens Season at Home
1/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT The Central Michigan University gymnastics team begins its 2009 season this weekend when it hosts Illinois State in Rose Arena on Friday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m.
The Chippewas return nine letterwinners, four All-Mid-American Conference selections and three regional qualifiers. CMU also has the past two MAC Freshman of the Year: Katie Simon in 2007 and Andrea de la Garza in 2008.
“I am excited about the team we have this season because I think we have the potential to be a really good team,” Jerry Reighard said. “This first meet will tell us a lot about our competitive nature. We have been practicing for the last four months and I know we can hit every routine. It is now a matter of can we hit our routines when it counts in competition.”
One advantage the Chippewas have this season is they held an intrasquad scrimmage during the preseason for the first time in the programs history. This helped the squad prepare for competition in Rose Arena especially the three freshmen.
“I think have the intrasquad was a great experience for us because we aren’t starting the season in an unfamiliar environment,” Reighard said. “The freshmen really benefited because they were not used to competing in an environment that like. There should be no surprises this Friday for our team like there might have been in the past.”
With the first meet, coach Reighard is looking to see how this squad deals with adversity.
“Everything doesn’t good right in your first meet and there will be mistakes,” Reighard said. “What I am looking to see is how we respond to the mistakes. Do we let them continue to affect us or do we move on. It will also good for us to have some on the floor bonding. When something goes wrong, how do you come together as a team to pick each other up and move on.”
Another key this weekend for CMU is the fact it has just four home meets this season, so it is important that the Chippewas take advantage of their home advantage.
“It is always easier to win at home and score better at home,” Reighard said. “It is unfortunate we have just four meets at home, but that means we have perform well on Friday.”
The Chippewas return nine letterwinners, four All-Mid-American Conference selections and three regional qualifiers. CMU also has the past two MAC Freshman of the Year: Katie Simon in 2007 and Andrea de la Garza in 2008.
“I am excited about the team we have this season because I think we have the potential to be a really good team,” Jerry Reighard said. “This first meet will tell us a lot about our competitive nature. We have been practicing for the last four months and I know we can hit every routine. It is now a matter of can we hit our routines when it counts in competition.”
One advantage the Chippewas have this season is they held an intrasquad scrimmage during the preseason for the first time in the programs history. This helped the squad prepare for competition in Rose Arena especially the three freshmen.
“I think have the intrasquad was a great experience for us because we aren’t starting the season in an unfamiliar environment,” Reighard said. “The freshmen really benefited because they were not used to competing in an environment that like. There should be no surprises this Friday for our team like there might have been in the past.”
With the first meet, coach Reighard is looking to see how this squad deals with adversity.
“Everything doesn’t good right in your first meet and there will be mistakes,” Reighard said. “What I am looking to see is how we respond to the mistakes. Do we let them continue to affect us or do we move on. It will also good for us to have some on the floor bonding. When something goes wrong, how do you come together as a team to pick each other up and move on.”
Another key this weekend for CMU is the fact it has just four home meets this season, so it is important that the Chippewas take advantage of their home advantage.
“It is always easier to win at home and score better at home,” Reighard said. “It is unfortunate we have just four meets at home, but that means we have perform well on Friday.”
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