Central Michigan University
Rutgers
Chippewa Gymnasts Win With Season-High
3/5/2017 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Coming off an extremely close loss to Bowling Green last week, the Central Michigan gymnastics team is now exactly where they want to be.
The Chippewas posted a 196.375 - their best score of the season - on Sunday in downing Rutgers (194.975) in a non-conference meet at McGuirk Arena.
"Today, we didn't let the demons in, that's the only way I can describe it," said CMU coach Jerry Reighard, whose team improved to 8-4. "I think we're in a good place but we'll be a little more greedy."
The 196.375 was not only CMU's best of the season, it was also the best recorded by any Mid-American Conference team this year.
"The goal is to duplicate that (performance) and put pressure on the rest of the conference," Reighard said. "This is the highest score of the conference and it's going to send some shockwaves. Most people won't believe it and that's fine, that's exactly where we want to be."
Central Michigan won all four events and recorded a season-high beam score of 49.175, which was the key to the meet. It was the first time the Chippewas have scored over 49 this season on beam. Katy Clements and Caroline Fitzpatrick both posted a 9.900 to lead CMU.
"If (the team) were honest with you, they would probably say I've been pretty relentless (this week), especially yesterday," Reighard said. "There comes a time when as a coach you become fed up and that we aren't going to take this. They got that message yesterday and we talked about why are we doing this? And what does it mean? I think that's finally come through."
A score of 48.775 on vault was the lowest CMU has scored for that event since mid-January. Despite the subpar vault performance, the Chippewas still finished top three for the event with Rachel Carr taking first, tying her career-high of 9.825.
Kasey Janowicz tied her individual record and posted CMU's new season-best in the all-around with a score of 39.400. She finished first on the parallel bars (9.900), second on vault (9.800), fifth on the beam (9.825), and third on floor exercise (9.875).
Perhaps the most impressive routine of the meet came from junior Macey Hilliker, who scored a career-best 9.950 on floor.
Central Michigan will close the regular season on Saturday, March 11 (2 p.m.) against Mid-American Conference for Northern Illinois.
"I've gone out on a limb and said it's going to take a 196.600 to win the MAC," Reighard said. "So am I satisfied? I'm happy. But I'm not satisfied. Hopefully the athletes feel that."
Players Mentioned
