Gymnasts Return Home For MAC Dual With Eastern

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan gymnastics team makes its first appearance on its home floor at McGuirk Arena in more than a month on Friday (7 p.m.) when it entertains Eastern Michigan in a Mid-American Conference meet.

It is CMU's first home meet since Jan. 11, when it defeated Illinois State.

WHERE THEY STAND
The Chippewas are 9-1 and coming off a win over Kent State. CMU posted a 195.175, their second-highest score of the season. That win lifted the Chippewas to 2-0 in the MAC. They are the league's lone unbeaten team in conference duals.

The Chippewas rank No. 36 in the nation. They are ranked No. 29 on uneven parallel bars, No. 35 on the floor exercise, No. 42 on vault, and No. 43 on balance beam.

CMU's Gianna Plaksa is ranked No. 48 in the nation in all-around, averaging 39.050. Denelle Pedrick is tied for No. 60 in the nation in all-around, averaging 38.930. She posted a season-high 39.275 at Kent State on Sunday and was named the MAC Gymanst of the Week for the third time this season.

Eastern Michigan is 4-5, 2-1 and after a win over Western Michigan last weekend. The Eagles posted a season-high 194.850 in the meet.

HOME SWEET HOME
For the last four meets, the Chippewas traveled as far as Denver and remained as close to home as Kalamazoo, finding success at every stop.

Still, it's always nice to be in front of the home crowd and work with the equipment the gymnasts know best, CMU coach Jerry Reighard said.

"We're really looking forward to (being home)," Rieghard said. "It's one of those occurrences where I don't know how many other teams are on the road for a month, it's usually not quite that long.

"We're definitely ready for more than just a home meet, ready to sleep in their own beds before a meet, eat the food that's not in a restaurant before a meet; just a lot of things that will make a real comfortable setting for us."

NEXT
The Chippewas will be back at McGuirk Arena on Friday, Feb. 22 in a MAC matchup with Bowling Green.

Bowling Green is 0-9, 0-3 and is scheduled to host two meets this weekend, a nonleaguer against Towson and a MAC dual with Kent State. Bowling Green's season-best score is 194.850.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Denelle Pedrick

Gianna Plaksa

Central Michigan University Athletics