Central Michigan University
Metroplex Challenge
Chippewas Second at 4-Team Metroplex Challenge
1/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
FORT WORTH, Texas - The Central Michigan women's gymnastics team finished second Saturday at the Metroplex Challenge at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
George Washington won the four-team event with a 196.150 team score. The Chippewas finished at 194.125, followed by San Jose State, 193.650; and Bowling Green, 193.550.
CMU is 5-2 and ranked 37th. George Washington is 8-0 and ranked 18th. The 194.125 was CMU's second-lowest total in its four meets this season.
The event served several purposes, including exposing the Chippewas to a four-team meet and a podium setting.
"This is definitely where we needed to be at this time of the year and it's going to pay dividends for us," coach Jerry Reighard said.
The Chippewas won vault with a season-best 48.850 team score. That number is a good sign, particularly in light of the fact that CMU entered Saturday's challenge ranked 50th in vault, their lowest ranking of the four events.
"That is a major move for us," Reighard said. "That's been the one event that the coaching staff has been most concerned about and the athletes have certainly put in their due diligence there."
Katy Clements led the Chippewas with a career-best 9.825 on vault, while Denelle Pedrick posted a 9.800 and senior Rachel Carr, in the lineup for the first time this season, scored a 9.775.
"That was a big boost for us," Reighard said.
On the flip side was CMU's performance on floor exercise and parallel bars. The Chippewas posted a 48.150 score on bars and a season-low 48.375 on floor. CMU entered the competition ranked 18th, the best ranking among the four events, on floor.
"Floor gave us fits today," Reighard said. "We're on a podium which means it's like a stage and it makes everything springy. We just couldn't figure it out. We bounced out of bounds three times. We took steps all over the place."
Gianna Plaksa (9.775) and Pedrick (9.725) led the Chippewas on floor, while Kasey Janowicz (9.825) and Carr (9.800) turned in CMU's top scores on bars.
Senior Caroline Fitzpatrick scored a 9.825 to lead the Chippewas on balance beam, followed by Clements (9.800) and Plaksa (9.775). The Chippewas posted a 48.750 team score, their second-best of the year on beam.
The Chippewas return to McGuirk Arena on Sunday, Feb. 5 for a nonconference meet with Illinois State.
"I'm remaining optimistic," Reighard said. "Every event has had a highlight this year. Obviously our goal is to put the whole meet together. We did it at Western Michigan somewhat (two weeks ago). We hit 24 straight routines there.
"Our kids have got to figure out what it takes to stay in an entire meet, not just one or two events. I think we're getting there, and that's the direction we need to go. I really do feel like we can get over this 196 barrier if we bear down and learn to control the adrenaline."
Players Mentioned
