Central Michigan University
Bowling Green
Seniors Sendoff: Chippewa Gymnasts Roll
2/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The seniors on the Central Michigan gymnastics teams made their final performance in McGuirk Arena a memorable one.
The Chippewas won all four events and set or tied season-bests on two events in rolling past Bowling Green, 196.125-192.700, Sunday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference meet.
It was the final home meet of the season and the last in the careers of six CMU seniors: Becca Druien, Halle Moraw, Kylie Fagan, Preslee Harrald, Tori Garcia and Taylor Noonan, who was injured and did not compete.
"I just enjoyed every single moment, didn't take a single one for granted, tried to take it all in," said Moraw, who placed first on vault and balance beam and shared first place with Druien on floor exercise. "Kind of helps that we have a month and a half left because it's not like the very last meet. I'd be a hot mess right now if that was the case.
"It was just so great to be with all six seniors and to go out with a 196-plus was even better. Great day."
It was CMU's second straight meet in which it posted a 196-plus score. The Chippewas, who improved to 8-3 overall, 4-1 MAC, scored a season-best 49.150 on vault and tied their season-high on floor with a 49.300. For the second meet in a row, they posted a solid 49.125 on bars.
The lone speed bump came on beam, where their 48.550 was below expectations.
"I'm just going to refer to (beam) as the third quarter today," CMU coach Jerry Reighard said. "The third quarter was not great; it was mediocre, but it didn't drown us. We didn't fall apart and I think that is a real sign of a maturing team."
Druien and Moraw both scored 9.900 on floor. It was the third consecutive meet and the fifth time this season that Moraw has posted the score. For Druien, it was a career-best.
"It's something I've been trying to get for four years now and I feel like my mind, I don't know, it just finally clicked, and it's something that I feel like I can do even the rest of the season," Druien said.
CMU's Karlee Teet and Fagan shared first place on bars, both at 9.900. It was a career best for Teet and it marked the fourth time this season that Fagan has hit 9.900 or better.
Despite a few bobbles on beam, the Chippewas were solid throughout, a sign that they have put behind them the inconsistencies that marked the first part of the season.
Their 196.125 was their second-best total of the season after the 196.400 they recorded in winning last week at Kent State.
"Our main thing is staying in our bubble and doing your own gymnastics," Moraw said. "I didn't really notice Bowling Green a whole lot; just like Kent, didn't notice them either, which I think helps us a lot."
For Reighard, who took over the program in 1984, the final home meet for a senior class is always emotional, he said.
"This is just as hard a time for the coaching staff," he said. "You bring these babies in as 18-year-olds and they graduate as young women so it's a great feeling for all of us. I'm just so thankful that God provided a great victory for these six seniors today. And it's not over.
"I think we're just hitting our stride right now."
The Chippewas will partake in a quad meet on Friday, Feb. 27, at California-Davis. Iowa and Sacramento State round out the field.
Players Mentioned
