CMU Gymnasts Look to Remain Unbeaten
1/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Zach Libby, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan gymnastics team is coming off a victory in its Mid-American Conference-opening dual at Northern Illinois.
The Chippewas scored a season-high 195.275 in that meet, improving to 6-0 on the season. They also posted season-highs on vault (48.825), uneven bars (49.075) and balance beam (48.925).
The Chippewas entertain Ball State on Sunday at 1 p.m. in a Mid-American Conference dual at McGuirk Arena.
The Cardinals are 3-3, 0-1. Ball State scored a 192.700 at home last weekend in beating non-league Illinois State. Its season-high score of 194.100 came against Towson on Jan. 17.
Team-wise, the Chippewas come into their third home meet of the season in typical January style, as the mid-season nagging injuries have been unfriendly to the student-athletes.
"In gymnastics, your body will take abuse," Reighard said. "Especially during landings, coming down constantly and that's starting to have an effect on the team -- sore legs, ankles in particular."
Having one more meet with home-gym advantage though plays in the Chippewas' favor, possibly erasing the unwanted fatigue before they travel to Eastern Michigan for a MAC dual next weekend, then the IGI Chicago Style Meet on Feb. 12.
CMU's last home event ended in a 194.775-193.575 win over Brigham Young.
Reighard said he considers the design and crowd noise of McGuirk Arena to be a huge factor in hits team's performances. The Chippewas, he said, are able to absorb the roaring support and turn it into solid performances on all four rotations.
"Certainly the bodies and friendly eyes can sometimes have a negative effect," Reighard said. "This group though responds to hearing the crowd, doing certain skills well, while appreciating the applause."
One thing that Reighard hopes to accomplish is winning the first rotation, something that the Chippewas failed to achieve in their meet with BYU. The veteran coach also wants to continue dominating on the beam, which can put large amounts of pressure on the opponent.
"Not an event where you want to have stress," he said. "I've taken the position that we're not concerned about our opponent. No defense in gymnastics, only offense. Stay within your bubble and stay within that bubble from event to event. We can't control the numbers the judges give us and outcome of the event expect through our performances. We're taking it one event and one skill at a time."
Reighard added that he has seen a charged-up Taylor Bolender in practice this week. Bolender earned the Mid-American Conference Specialist of the Week Award after posting a season-best 9.900 on floor exercise in a dual-meet win over Brigham Young.
Reighard said that he has seen Bolender practice harder in one day than she had in the previous couple of weeks. He said he can distinguish the frustration from the senior after her surprising 8.400 on the floor at Northern Illinois last Friday.
Despite the setback, there will not be a lineup change on the floor, Reighard said, adding that he is confident that Bolender will be ready for the next challenge.
Players Mentioned
