MacDonald, Gymnasts Kick It Off On Saturday

Saturday, January 11

East Lansing, Mich.

2 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Michigan State

Named to head the CMU gymnastics program in May, longtime Chippewa Christine MacDonald (left) and her team open the season with a nonconference tri-meet at Michigan State on Saturday.

Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf

1/10/2020 5:33:00 PM | Gymnastics

By: Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – New era, but it's the same high standards and expectations.

Christine MacDonald begins her first season as the head coach of the Central Michigan gymnastics program on Saturday (2 p.m.) when the Chippewas head to Michigan State to compete in a nonconference tri-meet with the Spartans and Illinois State.

MacDonald, a CMU gymnast from 1988-91, served as an assistant in the program for 25 years before taking over the top spot on an interim basis midway through the 2019 season.

She was named to head the program in May after leading the Chippewas to the MAC regular-season title and a second-place finish at the MAC Championships.

MacDonald has been a part of myriad MAC titles along with substantial postseason success either as a student-athlete or as a coach.

Returnees
The Chippewas return several top-line performers, including senior co-captains Denelle Pedrick and Sydney Williams, and sophomore Morgan Tong.

Pedrick was named the MAC Gymnast of the Year in 2019 after winning the all-around and the vault at the MAC Championships. Tong is the reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Award winner.

Seniors Charlie Wright and Mackenzie Parker also return, while another senior, Hayley Porter, is out for the season with an injury.

Sophomore Sierra Demarinis and juniors Nora Fettinger and Kennedy Johnson are among the core of the team.

"It's going to take us a while to figure out what our best lineups are, but I think we have the best depth we've had in a couple years," MacDonald said. "We'll be a very well-rounded team this year and I think that is where the success is going to happen down the line.

"As far as where we're at and where we're going to go, the potential's unlimited. This team has a high ceiling. We have a young team, so there's going to be some learning moments and I can see us continually evolve and grow every weekend."

Senior Standout
Pedrick, the first two-time NCAA Championships individual qualifier in program history, is poised for a big senior year after posting wins in 25 events among 39 top-three finishes a year ago.

"She really shined in a team atmosphere for us," MacDonald said. "Those team goals and individual goals really complement each other. I don't think there's any extra pressure for her because she's always been committed to being the best she can be. … She's always been putting herself at the highest level possible. She thrives on competition."

The Newcomers
MacDonald has a large freshman class of eight student-athletes, almost all of whom will be counted upon in at least one event – and often times more – throughout the season.

"They all have their role," she said. "We have our lineup of strong upperclassmen and if we can insert two freshmen (in each event) throughout the process I think you're going to see a consistency. It's about putting their time in and waiting for an available spot."