Trio of seniors to lead way

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The gymnastics team is one of the most successful at CMU after having won 10 Mid-American Conference Championships in its history.

But its rich tradition took a setback last season when the team stumbled, losing eight of its first 12 meets. However, it rebounded to finish 13-10 and earn a second place finish in the conference meet.

CMU starts its trek toward another MAC Championship at ?7 p.m. today when it hosts Illinois State at Rose Arena.

“The non-conference opener helps us in our preparation for the challenge of the MAC because it takes a lot of the pressure off,” said senior Whitney Burton.

The Chippewas have faced ISU twice in the last three years and won both times.

Burton said the team’s goal is to post a score of 194 in the first meet.

Head coach Jerry Reighard said Illinois State is improving.

“They’re one of the up-and-coming teams,” he said. “They did quite a lot better last year when we did not compete against them.”

Reighard has been a major factor in each of CMU’s 10 MAC Championships during his 21-year career as head coach. The team’s most recent title came in 2004.

“Playing for (Coach Reighard) comes with a lot of pressure,” said senior Sheena Smith. “You have a lot to live up to, but you come in knowing that the program is already established and the success can be sustained.”

Smith, who competes on the vault and uneven bars, is one of Central’s key returners. She said her personal goal is to be a MAC champion in her two events, as well as to post a personal best of 9.9 in those events.

Several of the team members feel they can gain prominence this season.

“We have the talent to be nationally recognized,” Burton said.

Reighard said the team has been preparing heavily for the first meet since winter break, practicing several times a day.

“It’s been a pretty exhausting two weeks,” he said. “It’s always the most intense part of the preseason.”

Starting positions still have not been determined.

A list is posted each practice that shows the lineup as it would appear if the season were to start that day, Reighard said.

“The girls are still challenging each other for starting positions,” he said. “We like to go with the gymnasts that are performing well in practice.”

A young team

This season will be the first at Central for four freshmen – Alexis Diaz, Laura Rogers, Katie Simon and Jessica Suder. The team also welcomes sophomore Vanessa Rodriguez, a transfer from Louisiana State.

“It is going to be interesting because our team is so young,” Smith said. “They are a very talented group and I think they will do well.”

The 2007 season also marks the last season for three seniors, who were freshmen on the last CMU team to win a MAC title. Burton returns alongside Smith and Jules Passy.

“The senior class is always an important core for the team,” Reighard said. “Their contributions will be important for us to regain the MAC championship.”

Burton said she will take every opportunity to succeed this season.

“I want to get everything out of my last year of gymnastics,” she said.

Gymnastics schedule

Today vs. Illinois State 7 p.m.
Jan. 19 at Oklahoma/Missouri 8 p.m.
Jan. 21 Texas Woman’s Univ./Brown Univ. 3 p.m.
Jan. 26 Cardinal Classic at Ball State 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 State of Michigan Classic 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 vs. Bowling Green 2 p.m.
Feb. 18 at Western Michigan 1 p.m.
Feb. 25 at Kent State 1 p.m.
March 3 at Pittsburgh/Missouri 7 p.m.
March 10 Eagle Invitational at EMU 1 p.m.
March 17 vs. Northern Illinois 2 p.m.
March 24 vs. Eastern Michigan 2 p.m.
March 31 MAC Championship at EMU 2 p.m.
April 13 NCAA Regionals at TBA TBA

sports@cm-life.com