Chippewa Gymnast Face Rematch With Illinois State

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. --The Central Michigan gymnastics team has a relatively quick turnaround this week as it heads to Normal, Ill. on Friday (7 p.m.) for a nonconference dual with Illinois State.

The Chippewas on Sunday topped rival Western Michigan, 193.675-192.700, in their Mid-American Conference opener. CMU is 7-1 and ranked 37^thnationally with a 194.269 average.

The Chippewas defeated Illinois State on Jan. 11 at McGuirk Arena, 195.275-190.050. The Redbirds are 2-3.

WHERE THEY STAND
Nationally, CMU ranks 29^thon uneven parallel bars, 39^thon floor exercise, 40^thon vault and 43^rdon balance beam.

BIG WIN
CMU coach Jerry Reighard said that the win over Western Michigan was monumental, and perhaps serve as a launching pad.

"(The team) had a fire in their belly when they came back (to Mount Pleasant)," he said. "We came in Monday and we got better, we're even better (today). It's a short week because we travel on Thursday, so we're feeling pretty good."

MOVING FORWARD
Reighard said Friday's meet against Illinois State is one the Chippewas have been looking forward to, and, with just a few practice days between this meet and their last, the aim is to refine routines and post impressive numbers across the board.

"We can let it go," he said. "We're not trying anything new but we're trying to do old things better, so that's kind of new. We want the athletes to go all out, which is what we preach every day -- be aggressive, don't and hold back. That's what we're going to be approaching this meet with.

"We are putting a lot of pressure on numbers this time and I feel like we've been put in a little bit of a box and the only way we can get out of that box is to be undeniable and that's what we want to preach to the team."

NEXT
The Chippewas will head to Kent, Ohio to take on Kent State in a MAC dual on Sunday, Feb 10 (1 p.m.). The Golden Flashes are 3-2 and go to Northern Illinois on Friday for their MAC opener.

Next Event

Related Videos