2008 Woodie Awards
Gymnasts prepare for Western
By: Justin Berndt
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Sports
The gymnastics team knows now is no time for a letup.
Despite a season-high 191.950 score last weekend in the State of Michigan Class, Central is not content - the future is at stake.
"You have to stay focused and keep in mind that you're practicing for the meet," said sophomore Katie Simon. "You have to practice like you're going to compete."
Last week the Chippewas increased the intensity of their practice, creating penalties for gymnasts who did not execute on their first routine. Coach Jerry Reighard went as far as making gymnasts who fell during their routines run laps.
This week, the gymnasts hope to maintain the focus the team established last week - hopefully without as much running, said senior Jenna D'Alie.
"It's going to be intense (but) maybe not in those terms," D'Alie said. "Our focus this week is going to be hit the first routine. There may be consequences, but I don't think it will be running."
Reighard and his wife, assistant coach Nancy Reighard, have been away from the team since Monday because of family commitments. However, the Chippewas have not let the Reighards' absences deter them in their preparation for Saturday's meet against Western Michigan at Rose Arena.
"We've been working on consistency and numbers so we can get back on track," said senior Danielle Espinoza. "The biggest thing we're missing right now is consistency."
Assistant Coach Christine MacDonald ran practice Tuesday in Reighard's absence, and the goals have not decreased. Simon said a target score of 194 would not be out of reach for Saturday.
D'Alie and Espinoza echoed Simon's assertion.
Espinoza believes the cohesiveness the captains share is beginning to spread.
"We're more united, more together as a whole instead of two halves," she said. "Everyone's starting to get on the same page."
The floor routine and balance beam cost the Chippewas last weekend. While the entire team is not committing extra time to the two events, many of the specialty gymnasts on the events have been perfecting their routines.
"We did three full floor routines and a couple of beam routines (Tuesday)," said Simon, who scored a 9.7 on Saturday's floor routine and 9.825 on the balance beam. "It was very productive."
CMU reduced the number of falls in last weekend's meet. Now it hopes to increase the execution of the routines even more.
"We're just focusing on not only staying on our routines, but perfecting them and getting 9.8," D'Alie said. "That's everyone's goal."
sports@cm-life.com
Despite a season-high 191.950 score last weekend in the State of Michigan Class, Central is not content - the future is at stake.
"You have to stay focused and keep in mind that you're practicing for the meet," said sophomore Katie Simon. "You have to practice like you're going to compete."
Last week the Chippewas increased the intensity of their practice, creating penalties for gymnasts who did not execute on their first routine. Coach Jerry Reighard went as far as making gymnasts who fell during their routines run laps.
This week, the gymnasts hope to maintain the focus the team established last week - hopefully without as much running, said senior Jenna D'Alie.
"It's going to be intense (but) maybe not in those terms," D'Alie said. "Our focus this week is going to be hit the first routine. There may be consequences, but I don't think it will be running."
Reighard and his wife, assistant coach Nancy Reighard, have been away from the team since Monday because of family commitments. However, the Chippewas have not let the Reighards' absences deter them in their preparation for Saturday's meet against Western Michigan at Rose Arena.
"We've been working on consistency and numbers so we can get back on track," said senior Danielle Espinoza. "The biggest thing we're missing right now is consistency."
Assistant Coach Christine MacDonald ran practice Tuesday in Reighard's absence, and the goals have not decreased. Simon said a target score of 194 would not be out of reach for Saturday.
D'Alie and Espinoza echoed Simon's assertion.
Espinoza believes the cohesiveness the captains share is beginning to spread.
"We're more united, more together as a whole instead of two halves," she said. "Everyone's starting to get on the same page."
The floor routine and balance beam cost the Chippewas last weekend. While the entire team is not committing extra time to the two events, many of the specialty gymnasts on the events have been perfecting their routines.
"We did three full floor routines and a couple of beam routines (Tuesday)," said Simon, who scored a 9.7 on Saturday's floor routine and 9.825 on the balance beam. "It was very productive."
CMU reduced the number of falls in last weekend's meet. Now it hopes to increase the execution of the routines even more.
"We're just focusing on not only staying on our routines, but perfecting them and getting 9.8," D'Alie said. "That's everyone's goal."
sports@cm-life.com
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