Chippewa Gymnasts Top Eastern In MAC Opener

Saturday, January 13

Ypsilanti, Mich.

6:00 PM

Central Michigan University

194.525

194.025

Eastern Michigan

1/13/2018 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics

Jan. 13, 2018

Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Last week, it was a record-setting performance. This week, a win over the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champion.

And with that, the Central Michigan gymnastics team is 2-0, 1-0 MAC. The Chippewas defeated Eastern Michigan, 194.525-194.025, on Saturday their league opener at the Eagles' Convocation Center.

Central Michigan entered Saturday's meet ranked third nationally after posting a 196.375 last week against Illinois State.

CMU won the vault (48.675), the bars (48.825) and the beam (48.800) against the Eagles, 0-2, 0-1. Eastern captured the floor with a 48.525. The Chippewas posted a 48.225 in the event.

CMU gymnasts won or tied for first in all four disciplines. Katy Clements, the reigning MAC Gymnast of the Week, won the beam with a 9.900; Denelle Pedrick captured the vault with 9.875, while Clements placed second at 9.775; Macey Hilliker was first on the floor with a 9.850 and teammate Gianna Plaksa (9.825) was second.

Plaksa tied for first on bars (9.875) with Eastern Michigan's Kendall Valentin, an All-American on bars last season. It was a career-best bars performance for Plaksa.

Pedrick, a sophomore, finished with an all-around score of 38.725 to finish second behind Eastern's Megan Hultgren (38.800).

The Chippewas return to McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Jan. 20 (2 p.m.) to entertain Western Michigan in a MAC meet. The Broncos are scheduled to open their season on Sunday at home against Illinois-Chicago.