Gymnastics caps off senior night with a win
Securing its third consecutive Mid-American Conference meet, Central Michigan gymnastics beat Eastern Michigan on Friday with a score of 196.250 - 192.025, its season-best overall score.
The Chippewas improve to 3-0 in MAC competition.
DeMers, scored top meet scores in three of the four events. She matched her career-best in bar and floor with a score of 9.950 and a 9.825 on vault.
“She’s (DeMers) somebody that resonates energy and passion,” said head coach Christine MacDonald. “When you come to a meet, she stands out and I think she just continues to shine for us, and she is truly a product of hard work.”
DeMers claimed the top all-around spot and was just shy of matching her career-best of 39.550 with an overall score of 39.525.
“It’s my senior year I’m just trying to have some fun,” DeMers said. “I’m trying to enjoy these last moments and soak it in. If awards come with it that’s great but I’m just excited for the year and to just end on a good note.”
Senior Ashley Veglucci also recorded a career-best score on floor with a 9.900.
“I’ve been working really hard in the gym working on the details so to finally do it today and on senior night felt really good,” Veglucci said.
Sophomore Lia Kmieciak also had career-best with a 9.875 on vault tying with DeMers.
The Chippewas took first in all four events and junior Adriana Bustelo recorded a top finish on beam with 9.875 and DeMers was not far behind with a score of 9.800.
“We changed up some line up spots on beam and those individuals just stepped in and did a great job,” MacDonald said.
Following the meet, there was a ceremony to honor the eight CMU seniors in the final home meet in McGuirk Arena.
“This senior group of girls that we have is just a special group of girls and we’re so united,” DeMers said.
“They’re a really special group for me," MacDonald said. The summer that I recruited them, I was only in Mount Pleasant a total of 15 days from June until August. To see them from that time to now, just to watch their growth and just to see them really shine as individuals but more so just as a group has just been an awesome journey with them and I can’t wait to continue it with them this year.”
The Chippewas will hit the road for the remainder of the season as their first stop is in Ames, Iowa as they take on Iowa State on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.
“Definitely looking to build off the momentum ... we can count as many away scores as we can for our national qualifying scores so we’re looking to capitalize on that opportunity,” MacDonald said.
