Pair of road victories keeps CMU gymnastics undefeated
The No. 19 Chippewas improved to 9-0 this weekend with two wins, staying undefeated in both the Mid-American Conference and against non-conference competition.
CMU started in Ypsilanti on Friday against the Eagles, winning with a score of 195.925–194.6. The team concluded the weekend with a win at Bowling Green on Sunday, 196.5–195.55.
“We love traveling, we get to bond a lot more because we are not worried about classes or anything,” said junior Halle Moraw. “We are such a close team and they are all my sisters and we love each other; it is amazing how close we are.”
CMU scored a 196 for the second time and their second-highest score of the season, getting closer to head coach Jerry Reighard's goal of maintaining 196 scores consistently.
Program milestones decorated their triumph over the Falcons. The Chippewas recorded their best score in an away meet in a regular season matchup, and fifth best overall score.
CMU also scored a season high on vault – an early season downfall – recording its fourth-best vault score all time, and second-best all time in regular season competition.
“Today, Bowling Green put us in a position where we were behind for the first time all season,” Reighard said. “We have been really emphasizing having CMU gymnast wins every event, and we were in jeopardy of losing that today. They had some really good vaulters and I told them you have to step up and they did.”
Reighard named Moraw and senior co-captain Brittany Petzold as his weekend MVPs.
Petzold competed in the all-around for the second time this season against Bowling Green and scored a 39.225, securing her position as No. 1 in the MAC.
Moraw, the teamls premier floor gymnast, scored 9.85 in floor against EMU and a 9.925 against Bowling Green. She vaulted in both meets, scoring a 9.875 in each.
“She was very much an unknown on vaulting until this week,” Reighard said. “She has not been able to practice the vault until last Monday. I think it is a great testimony of what an athlete can do when they want to do it.”
The No. 19 Chippewas are expected to stay in the top 20 in the nation with their team scores. CMU has scored 196.6, 195.925 and 196.5 in its past three meets.
The team will be at home this weekend against No. 25 Kent State at 1 p.m. on Sunday at McGuirk Arena.
