Floor team steps up in close victory against Illinois State


.15 points. 

That was how close the Central Michigan gymnastic's floor team was to breaking the floor routine school record of 49.625 in Sunday's 194.950-194.075 win against Midwest Independent Conference opponent Illinois State. 

"Top to bottom, this (floor) group has the ability to go 9.9," said head coach Jerry Reighard. "It's very comforting to know we have other people in the gym that we could actually put in the lineup. It's a really good place to be in.

Four gymnasts reached or surpassed the 9.9 threshold, those being sophomore Gianna Plaksa (9.9) junior Katy Clements (9.925), and freshman Denelle Pedrick (9.925). Junior Macey Hilliker also scored a 9.925 with one of the two judges giving her a score of 10 for her routine — the only 10 of the afternoon.

"We work so hard in the gym for those moments that make you want to cry for how great other people did," said senior Shailia Segal. "There were so many of those moments today."

In addition to the floor team's season best score, the vault team also posted their best performance of the year with a score of 48.975. Junior Bryttany Kaplan, Pedrick and Plaksa each led the Chippewas scoring 9.8 apiece.

"My saying for this week was 'train insane or stay the same'," Reighard said. "We really did train very hard and that's what that sign was supposed to get out of them."

On deck, it's back to conference play for the Chippewas as they begin a two-meet road stretch at Ball State next Sunday at 1 p.m. and Kent State the following Sunday.

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