Gymnastics to see first conference action this weekend


With high hopes and low scores, the Central Michigan University gymnastics team is attempting to finish its three meet home stand on a winning note.

CMU will faceoff with Seattle Pacific University and Mid-American Conference foe Eastern Michigan University at 7 p.m. on Saturday in McGuirk Arena.

With No. 1 in MAC on the beam, senior Taylor Noonan out indefinitely, the Chippewas underclassmen will be called upon to fill the void left by Noonan’s absence.

“With the falls we have been having, our younger girls should be jumping to fill their spots,” senior Halle Moraw said. “A lot of younger girls have the opportunity to be in the lineup now.”

EMU is coming off a great team performance against Temple University, scoring nearly 194.

The Chippewas, have posted scores of 192.55 and 193.475 for final tallies in their last two matches.

The Eagles are led by redshirt senior Chantelle Loehne, who boasts a 9.85 on floor.

SPU lost their opener to national contender UC Davis, scoring 191.2 overall.

Sophomore all-around gymnast Kristi Hayashida leads the way for the Falcons with a score of 38.3 in that category. Hayashida has also been impressive on the balance beam, as she scored a 9.825 her first time around.

“I think were moving in the right direction,” coach Jerry Reighard said. “The concentration for a gymnast has to be a full minute and a half. We have to readdress staying alert and staying in it.”

But CMU has had moments of greatness so far this season.

Moraw has been consistent for the Chippewas in her routines, scoring two 9.8s in CMU’s Jan. 11 loss to Illinois University. MAC bars champion and senior Kylie Fagan scored a 9.9 in her opening meet against Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Since losing Noonan, the Chippewas say staying focused is key.

Unlike many other MAC programs CMU houses a gymnast who has scored well enough this season to qualify for a championship by last season’s standards.

The Chippewa bar rotation this season has the potential to set a program’s best.

Juniors Karlee Teet and Taylor Bolender are poised for a championship run on bars. Meanwhile, Fagan has the chance to win back-to-back titles in that event.

 

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