Show Time For CMU Gymnastics

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Bring up the lights and cue the music. It's Show Time.

The Central Michigan gymnastics team will give fans a chance to see it under meet-like conditions on Friday (6 p.m.) with its annual Showcase at McGuirk Arena. Admission is free and, at the conclusion of the event, an autograph session with refreshments is scheduled for the Kulhavi Events Center atrium.

The Showcase helps kick off the 2018-19 season as the Chippewas look to repeat their dual MAC titles and return to the NCAA Regionals.

"The Showcase is going to be really exciting for our fans," said Jerry Reighard, who is in his 35^th year in charge of the program. "We are pretty young, maybe not in years because (many) are juniors and seniors, but they have been behind some really good athletes. Now it's their turn to shine."

Several veterans familiar to Chippewa fans, such as Gianna Plaksa, Denelle Pedrick and Macey Hilliker, will perform on Friday. Others, some of whom are new to the program and others who have been waiting in the wings, will also put their skills on display.

The Chippewas participated in a four-way scrimmage at Michigan on Sunday. Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan also partook in the event.

"Sunday was a great experience, the atmosphere was good, it was very competitive, the athletes gained a lot of experience," Reighard said. "Some of their inexperience came through and we made some mistakes; not really big mistakes, they're all fixable … we are making plans, we are changing things, we are emphasizing different things and Friday is going to be a really good opportunity for us again because we can see if those changes have taken hold."

Reighard will be on the microphone during Friday's event, explaining the action and nuances of judging.

"It will be an educational session," he said. "I think that usually makes it more exciting for the fans. Most people understand the rules to many, many games, but not gymnastics. They will get an education.

"It will be a great time for our athletes to experience McGuirk Arena again, many of them have been on the sidelines, watching people compete, and so they will be right there under the bright lights."

The Chippewas open the season at home on Sunday, Jan. 6, with a nonconference quad that includes Illinois, Arizona and Bridgeport. The Chippewas will receive their 2018 championship rings during a ceremony in conjunction with the meet.

Players Mentioned

Macey Hilliker

Denelle Pedrick

Gianna Plaksa

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