Gymnastics looking to pair veteran leadership with talented freshmen to continue trend of success
Central Michigan gymnast Denelle Pedrick performs on the uneven bars Jan. 6 at McGuirk Arena.
Before officially being named head coach, Christine MacDonald served 25 years as an assistant to coach Jerry Reighard.
In her time as an assistant, the Chippewas won 15 Mid-American Conference Championships, earned 16 NCAA Regional berths, and have had 69 individual champions. Prior to that, she was a student-athlete at Central Michigan.
MacDonald has been a Chippewa since 1988. Now, it's her turn to lead the program she was once a part of, to live up to the standard she has helped to create.
The pieces are there to continue the trend.
After winning the MAC Championships outright and falling just short in the NCAA Regional a season ago, the Chippewas lost five seniors to graduation, among them Gianna Plaska, who was named Second Team All-MAC in 2019.
However, the squad returns both the MAC Gymnast of the Year and MAC Freshman of the Year in senior Denelle Pedrick and sophomore Morgan Tong. Both earned numerous in-season honors and project to continue to post high scores heading into the 2020 season.
"They haven’t skipped a beat, in fact, they’re better than they ever have been," MacDonald said following Sunday's intrasquad. "I see them both as great leaders. They both have different qualities and different traits that they bring to the program."
Pedrick spent time performing internationally over the summer, placing seventh at the World University Games while representing her home country of Canada.
Heading into her senior season, Pedrick was named team captain, along with fellow senior Sydney Williams, and looks to anchor the squad in each of the four rotations.
"Denelle, being a senior captain, she obviously brings both competition experience leadership and the voice of the team," MacDonald said.
Meanwhile, Tong looks to take the next step. A season ago, she competed in the vault, balance beam, and floor exercise in each of the team's 13 meets.
"Morgan leads by example," MacDonald said. She’s very even-tempered and so she keeps everybody light-hearted and happy and she’s just a great person to have in your lineup and as a teammate.”
MacDonald and her staff also welcome in a promising freshman class, which took center stage Sunday.
Freshmen Savana Kotas, Brenna Hauser, Ashley Veglucci, Hannah DeMers, Christie Tinie and Audrianna Hammond each took part in events Sunday in front of fans at McGuirk Arena for the first time.
"We have a lot of freshmen who are competing in lineup spots," MacDonald said. "Putting them in the arena as opposed to a practice facility was definitely important for us, to get them used to that surrounding in front of their fans and family."
When the Chippewas open their season on Saturday at Michigan State, it will be the first regular-season meet for MacDonald as head coach. However, after spending 25 years as an assistant, she does not lack experience.
“I think every moment has prepared me for this role," she said. "Every day at practice I learn, every competition leading up to today has prepared me. I think we’re constantly learning. As a coach, I’m always learning things that are going to help this team."
The Chippewas participated in a preseason exhibition quad at Michigan, taking on Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan in addition to the Wolverines. In that competition, CMU placed second behind Michigan, who advanced to the national semifinal in last year's NCAA Championships.
In the scrimmage, MacDonald saw several strengths her team has and some areas where it can continue to improve.
“Definitely think we’re excelling in the big skills," MacDonald noted. "We have a lot of big skills in every event. I think we continue to work toward the perfect parts."
The Chippewas open the season with five straight road meets before hosting Kent State on Feb. 16. Their season-opening meet at Michigan State is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. in the Jenison Fieldhouse.
MacDonald and company are eager to begin the 2020 season
"I’m excited where the future is taking us," MacDonald said. "I’m excited about this team’s energy and their passion and commitment. I think we’re well prepared and ready to go.”
