Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Pedrick, Plaksa Excel at NCAA Regional Championships
4/5/2019 11:22:00 PM | Gymnastics
Pedrick takes 3rd in all-around
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Solid performances for two Central Michigan gymnasts at the NCAA Regionals.
Denelle Pedrick finished third in the all-around on Friday night in meet at Michigan's Crisler Center. Teammate Gianna Plaksa, a senior, placed seventh on the uneven parallel bars. Pedrick can qualify for the the NCAA National Championships if she is the top all-arounder not on a team that qualifies to the national finals. Both individuals that finished ahead of her are a part of teams that complete Saturday night for one of the two spots in the national finals.
The Chippewas qualified for the regional as a team, and were eliminated in a dual meet on Thursday night by Illinois.
"I couldn't be more thrilled for their performances," CMU associate head coach Christine MacDonald said of Pedrick and Plaksa. "For an individual to come into that meet in a pressure situation, you have to perform without your teammates there, and you're the last one up in the rotation. They haven't competed (in that format) all year. To have the performances without their teammates there, and to do it as well as they did says a lot about them."
Pedrick, a junior from Wilcox, Saskatchewan, posted an all-around score of 39.375. Sienna Crouse of Nebraska won the all-around with a 39.600, while Michigan's Natalie Wojcik (39.550) was second.
Friday's meet comprised UCLA, Nebraska, West Virginia and Illinois along with several individual qualifiers.
"For Denelle to place third in the all-around, it just speaks volumes to her gymnastics and her ability to compete at the highest level," MacDonald said. "And for Gianna to go 9.875 in the bars in both days of regionals, it's amazing. If that was going to be her last performance, and to do it in that fashion, it's amazing. They were both just exceptional with their composure, and how they handled everything from warmups to the meet. They were just amazing."
THE NUMBERS
Pedrick's scored a 9.800 in the vault, tied for 23rd; 9.850 in the floor exercise, tied for 12th; 9.850 on the balance beam, tied for 13th; and 9.875, her highest score on the day, on the bars, tied for seventh. Plaksa also scored a 9.875 and was among the group with Pedrick tied for seventh in the event.
SENIOR MOMENT
Plaksa, who hails from Mountain Top, Pa., has been a key contributor for CMU over her four years in the program, and served as a team captain this season.
"Her work ethic, her consistency, and she came in every day to give her best," MacDonald said. "She came in every day, worked hard, no excuses, and was a workhorse. She's the type of athlete who was driven, had passion, and it was contagious.
"Her total outlook to her whole life, whether if it's academics, if it's in the gym, or her professional path, she has given it her all. You can count on her, she is somebody you can go to and count on that she's going to work as hard as she can, and do the best that she can."
Denelle Pedrick finished third in the all-around on Friday night in meet at Michigan's Crisler Center. Teammate Gianna Plaksa, a senior, placed seventh on the uneven parallel bars. Pedrick can qualify for the the NCAA National Championships if she is the top all-arounder not on a team that qualifies to the national finals. Both individuals that finished ahead of her are a part of teams that complete Saturday night for one of the two spots in the national finals.
The Chippewas qualified for the regional as a team, and were eliminated in a dual meet on Thursday night by Illinois.
"I couldn't be more thrilled for their performances," CMU associate head coach Christine MacDonald said of Pedrick and Plaksa. "For an individual to come into that meet in a pressure situation, you have to perform without your teammates there, and you're the last one up in the rotation. They haven't competed (in that format) all year. To have the performances without their teammates there, and to do it as well as they did says a lot about them."
Pedrick, a junior from Wilcox, Saskatchewan, posted an all-around score of 39.375. Sienna Crouse of Nebraska won the all-around with a 39.600, while Michigan's Natalie Wojcik (39.550) was second.
Friday's meet comprised UCLA, Nebraska, West Virginia and Illinois along with several individual qualifiers.
"For Denelle to place third in the all-around, it just speaks volumes to her gymnastics and her ability to compete at the highest level," MacDonald said. "And for Gianna to go 9.875 in the bars in both days of regionals, it's amazing. If that was going to be her last performance, and to do it in that fashion, it's amazing. They were both just exceptional with their composure, and how they handled everything from warmups to the meet. They were just amazing."
THE NUMBERS
Pedrick's scored a 9.800 in the vault, tied for 23rd; 9.850 in the floor exercise, tied for 12th; 9.850 on the balance beam, tied for 13th; and 9.875, her highest score on the day, on the bars, tied for seventh. Plaksa also scored a 9.875 and was among the group with Pedrick tied for seventh in the event.
SENIOR MOMENT
Plaksa, who hails from Mountain Top, Pa., has been a key contributor for CMU over her four years in the program, and served as a team captain this season.
"Her work ethic, her consistency, and she came in every day to give her best," MacDonald said. "She came in every day, worked hard, no excuses, and was a workhorse. She's the type of athlete who was driven, had passion, and it was contagious.
"Her total outlook to her whole life, whether if it's academics, if it's in the gym, or her professional path, she has given it her all. You can count on her, she is somebody you can go to and count on that she's going to work as hard as she can, and do the best that she can."
Players Mentioned
All-Around
/ Gymnastics
All-Around
/ GymnasticsMAC Championships Cinematic Melt
Monday, March 24
Lia Kmieciak Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22
Coach MacDonald Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22
Hannah Appleget Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22