Chippewa Gymnasts Look To Build Upon Season-Opening Win

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan gymnastics team will host Illinois State in a nonconference dual meet on Friday, Jan. 19 (7 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena.

It is the first of two matchups between the Chippewas and the Redbirds. The two are scheduled to square off in Normal, Ill. on Friday, Feb. 1.

Last season, CMU swept the Redbirds in a home-and-home dual series. The 196.375 that the Chippewas posted in their first of the two 2018 meetings was the best opening-meet score in Central Michigan program history.

WHERE THEY STAND
The Chippewas opened the season last weekend by posting a 194.875 score in winning a quad at McGuirk Arena. Included in the field were Illinois and Arizona, who were ranked 22^nd and 33^rd, respectively, in the preseason Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association preseason poll. The Chippewas were ranked 30^th.

The Chppewas' 194.875 is the 16^th best in the nation. The 49.125 that CMU posted in the floor exercise at its quad ranks as the seventh-best nationally.

Junior Denelle Pedrick led the Chippewas, winning the floor exercise and the balance beam and earning the Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week Award for her performance.

The Redbirds went to Achorage, Alaska for their opening weekend. They split two duals with Alaska Anchorage. Their highest team score in the two meets was 192.975.

IMPROVING
Despite coming in first place in the opening quad meet, the Chippewas have plenty of room for improvement, coach Jerry Reighard said.

"The biggest thing for us right now is that we focus on improving our performances," he said. "In order to do that, we need to have competition and Illinois State will be good competition for us. My biggest concern is that we don't get arrogant.

"Our motto is that it's a nameless, faceless opponent. I reminded our student-athletes of that yesterday, that 'Yeah we had some great wins over some Power-5 (conference) teams, but 15 teams in the nation were better than us (in total score).'

"Our goal is to improve our overall team score."

NEXT
The Chippewas will travel to Denver on Saturday, Jan. 19, to compete in their second quad of the season. Joining the Chippewas and host Pioneers are Texas Woman's University and Sacramento State.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Denelle Pedrick