Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Season-Best 196.125 Lifts CMU Past Western
2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Zach Libby, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Jerry Reighard indicated on Thursday that he didn't need to reiterate to his freshmen the importance of capturing a win over Western Michigan to mark the beginning of the toughest stretch of the season.
The veteran Central Michigan gymnastics coach knew he could rely on his upperclassmen to drive home the importance to his first-year athletes what it meant to defeat the Broncos.
The Chippewas posted a season-best 49.150 score on balance beam in surpassing the coveted 196 mark for the first time this season in downing the Broncos, 196.125-193.750, Sunday at McGuirk Arena. The win lifted CMU to 11-1 overall, 3-0 MAC.
CMU's Kasey Janowicz won the floor exercise (9.900), tied for first on the beam (9.900), and won the all-around (39.400) to spark the convincing victory.
"It was a really positive experience for our athletes," Reighard said of finishing above 196. "We've been close all season, we could never just get over the top.
"I really felt like in this meet, we didn't leave anything on the table. I think that's what's held us back over the last few weeks especially -- just not performing to what we're capable of and I felt very comfortable with that today."
CMU's Karlee Teet won the uneven parallel bars with a 9.900. Anna Corbett of Western won the vault at 9.825. CMU's Jodie Plescow, Teet and Janowicz tied for second - along with the Broncos' Jessica Buis - on vault at 9.800.
CMU's Taylor Bolender, Macey Hilliker and Kailey Miller tied for second on the floor exercise behind Janowicz at 9.825. The Chippewas' 49.125 was just off their season best in the event.
CMU's Katy Clements was third on beam (9.875). Janowicz's 9.900 in the event tied her season-high.
Reighard recalled telling Clements back when he inserted the sophomore into the beam lineup that she would be his all-important anchor.
"Katy is that incredible of a beam worker and she's that steady every day in practice," Reighard said. "Maybe the hardest thing now is the expectation that she's there every week and hopefully she'll be able to handle that and grow with it."
Janowicz's all-around score was particularly gratifying for her in light of the fact that she posted a 38.825 last weekend at the IGI Chicago Style Meet, ending a streak of four consecutive competitions in which she had scored 39.000 or better.
The 39.400 was a season-best for Janowicz, and it is within .225 of Kara Reighard's CMU record 39.625
"It feels great, I mean that's one of my goals," Janowicz said. "One of my goals coming in was being an all-around and being, I guess, looked up to as close to beating one for the best is rewarding."
Along with the array of team and individual accomplishments, Sunday also brought the debuts of CMU freshmen Abbie Zoeller and Gianna Plaksa, who kicked off floor exercise - CMU's final event of the day - with scores of 9.625 and 9.750, respectively.
Reighard said that there was no overt strategy in having those two gymnasts' first performances be against Western Michigan, but rather it was out of necessity.
"We brought those athletes here to compete," Reighard said, "and for whatever reason, they weren't ready up until this point, and when they were ready, we used them. They made a few debut mistakes, but I think they're hungry, I think they're going to work harder for me now and they are valuable."
The Chippewas host MAC rival Kent State next Sunday (7 p.m.) in their final home meet as they celebrate Senior Night. Kent State unseated CMU last season at the MAC Championships, ending the Chippewas' five-year reign atop the league.
Players Mentioned
