Sunday, March 1
Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
5 p.m.
Central Michigan University
195.500
at
196.225
Illinois
Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf
Chippewa Gymnasts Complete Big Weekend With Solid Score
3/1/2020 8:43:00 PM | Gymnastics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Central Michigan gymnastics team dropped a nonconference dual to Illinois on Sunday at the Fighting Illini's Huff Hall.
The loss brought to an end CMU's two-meet win streak. The Chippewas, who defeated Mid-American Conference rival Western Michigan on Friday, are 5-6. They go to New Hampshire for a nonconference dual on Sunday, March 8 (1 p.m.).
The Illini, who entered Sunday's meet ranked 22nd nationally, finished with 196.225 points. The Chippewas, ranked 37th, finished at 195.500. It was CMU's third-best score of the season. The Chippewas posted a season-best 196.075 on Friday at home against Western.
"I think today was a great team effort," CMU coach Christine MacDonald said. "We had a lot of highlights, the team put up a great fight; they worked hard for their scores.
"It just continues to show the resilience of this team, the commitment to each other, and to the process. Again, very pleased. We were able to put up two good scores on the weekend and that was a definite focus."
CMU freshman Hannah Demers won the vault on Sunday with a 9.850 score, leading the Chippewas to a 48.925 team total. She also captured the all-around at 39.350.
The Chippewas scored 49.025 on uneven parallel bars; 48.475 on balance beam; and 49.075 on floor exercise. It marked the fifth-consecutive meet that the Chippewas have met or surpassed the 49 mark on floor.
"Savana Kotas (9.775) started us off strong today on bars, really set the tone," MacDonald said. "Our seniors did a great job. Everybody that was in position today really worked hard and kept it moving for the team."
CMU's Kennedy Rae Johnson and Sydney Williams tied for second on vault. Both scored 9.825.
Denelle Pedrick led the Chippewas on bars with a third-place finish (9.850); Demers had CMU's best finish, third, on beam (9.800); and Demers and Pedrick tied for third on floor (9.875).
Friday's win over Western lifted CMU to 3-2 in MAC duals. The Chippewas share third place in the league with Northern Illinois. Western and Ball State share the top spot. Both are 4-1 in MAC duals.
The loss brought to an end CMU's two-meet win streak. The Chippewas, who defeated Mid-American Conference rival Western Michigan on Friday, are 5-6. They go to New Hampshire for a nonconference dual on Sunday, March 8 (1 p.m.).
The Illini, who entered Sunday's meet ranked 22nd nationally, finished with 196.225 points. The Chippewas, ranked 37th, finished at 195.500. It was CMU's third-best score of the season. The Chippewas posted a season-best 196.075 on Friday at home against Western.
"I think today was a great team effort," CMU coach Christine MacDonald said. "We had a lot of highlights, the team put up a great fight; they worked hard for their scores.
"It just continues to show the resilience of this team, the commitment to each other, and to the process. Again, very pleased. We were able to put up two good scores on the weekend and that was a definite focus."
CMU freshman Hannah Demers won the vault on Sunday with a 9.850 score, leading the Chippewas to a 48.925 team total. She also captured the all-around at 39.350.
The Chippewas scored 49.025 on uneven parallel bars; 48.475 on balance beam; and 49.075 on floor exercise. It marked the fifth-consecutive meet that the Chippewas have met or surpassed the 49 mark on floor.
"Savana Kotas (9.775) started us off strong today on bars, really set the tone," MacDonald said. "Our seniors did a great job. Everybody that was in position today really worked hard and kept it moving for the team."
CMU's Kennedy Rae Johnson and Sydney Williams tied for second on vault. Both scored 9.825.
Denelle Pedrick led the Chippewas on bars with a third-place finish (9.850); Demers had CMU's best finish, third, on beam (9.800); and Demers and Pedrick tied for third on floor (9.875).
Friday's win over Western lifted CMU to 3-2 in MAC duals. The Chippewas share third place in the league with Northern Illinois. Western and Ball State share the top spot. Both are 4-1 in MAC duals.
Players Mentioned
MAC 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