Gymnastics searching for perfection during Michigan vs. Illinois Classic
With the national rankings and a Mid-American Conference championship on their minds, members of the Central Michigan University gymnastics team will take part in the fifth year of the Michigan vs. Illinois Challenge at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Normal, Ill.
The Chippewas will team up with Mid-American Conference foe Eastern Michigan University as the two teams face Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
CMU defeated EMU on Jan. 17 to claim its first conference win of the season. Saturday’s event will serve as the Chippewas most unique competing environment of the regular season.
“It’s a really good environment for us at this point in the season,” Head Coach Jerry Reighard said. “A quad meet starts to simulate our championship. It is Olympic order, one event after another.”
The Chippewas are close to ranking in the NCAA’s Top 25 teams.
The Chippewas, who have posted higher scores than EMU this year will not be cheering for their in-state rivals.
“We are combining scores, but it is not like we are applauding the Eagles,” Reighard said. “We’re conference rivals so the coaches shake hands and congratulate each other on combined scores if you win, but it’s not like you’re pumping up your opponent.”
Despite posting a season-high team score of 196.175 earlier this season, the gymnasts say they are not satisfied.
“Everyone came into this week’s practice fired up,” senior Halle Moraw said. “We have done a lot of routines this week and have changed the little things we needed to switch from last weekend. I’m excited.”
A team with a roster stocked with veterans is reaching for a future in the National Championship.
The Chippewas say the postseason push begins this weekend.
“Nobody got a (perfect) 10 (last week), we were ready to work harder than any previous week,” senior Kylie Fagan said. “On bars I need to hit and hold handstands, I need to make my routine undeniable.”
