Central Michigan University
Ball State
Gymnasts Overcome Slow Start, Surge Past Ball State
1/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Zach Libby, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Central Michigan gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard recalled a moment back in December when he took freshman Kasey Janowicz into the gym and had her look at the record board and study the name of the Central Michigan gymnastics all-around record-holder.
The first name is Kara, the last name is Reighard, and she has held that record for more than a decade, scoring a 39.625 in the Mid-American Conference championships in 2003.
"Frankly, I'm sick of that name being up there," Reighard said. "And of course, it's the same last name as mine."
Janowicz has competed in just five events in her collegiate career at CMU, but has shown that she has the potential to unseat Kara Reighard - the daughter of the nine-time MAC coach of the year -- atop the all-around list.
Janowicz, finishing with the top score on the balance beam (9.900), posted her third straight all-around score of 39 or better on Sunday as Central Michigan defeated Ball State, 195.175-194.575 in a MAC dual meet at McGuirk Arena.
Central Michigan improves to 7-0 overall and 2-0 against conference opponents.
The Chippewas would prevail in the final rotation, floor exercise, to win the meet going away. CMU's Taylor Bolender (9.925) won the event after posting an 8.400 last week at Northern Illinois.
The Chippewas took the top three spots on floor as Kirstin Stambaugh was second with a 9.900 and sophomore Macey Hilliker posted a 9.875 in her return from a leg injury. The Chippewas' 49.150 on the floor marked the first time this season they have exceeded 49.000 in any of the four events this season.
"When you go to the floor, just really excited for us to get a 49," Reighard said. "I thought that was about two or three weeks away. But to have Macey (Hilliker) back after being three weeks out and to do the job she did for us today was just a great effort on her part and the rest of the group keeps building and building."
CMU's Karlee Teet won uneven parallel bars with a 9.925. Ball State's Denasiha Christian won the vault with a 9.800. Teet was second with a 9.775 and Stambaugh (9.750) was third. The Chippewas scored 48.525 on vault, and are averaging 48.513 in the event for the season.
"We have to shore that up, problem is I don't have the people to do that right now," Reighard said. "We're training people and they're working their best, but that event I think is going to remain where it's at unfortunately."
It's the second time this season in which the Chippewas found themselves on the behind following the first rotation (vault). But the resiliency of the gymnasts and lack of uncertainty assisted the Chippewas on the uneven bars and beam.
CMU took the lead after bars with Teet setting the pace with a career-best 9.925. The Chippewas 48.950 team score was their second-best of the year on bars. CMU's Bryttany Kaplan, Janowicz and Megan Lamphere finished third-fifth, respectively.
Sophomore Katy Clements finished second behind Janoiwicz with a 9.825 on the balance beam.
The Chippewas face a crucial MAC dual on Friday (6:30 p.m.) at Eastern Michigan. The Eagles are 7-1, 2-0 and share first place in the conference with CMU. They are the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the MAC.
Players Mentioned
