2007 Gymnastics Media Guidefinalworkingcopy.indd - Central ...

Meet theCoaches

Meet the CoachesJerry ReighardHead Coach22nd SeasonJerry Reighard enters his 22nd seasonas the head coach of the Central MichiganUniversity gymnastics team.Reighard’s tenure has been marked bysuccess, as he has guided 10 teams toMid-American Conference crowns (1990,’91, ’92, ’93, ’95, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’03, and’04), earning six MAC Coach of the Yearhonors (1988, ’90, ’95, ’98, ’04, and ’05)along the way. He was named the NCAACentral Regional Coach of the Year for hisefforts with the 2003 team.CMU fi nished second in the MAC in2006, the 10th consecutive season in whichit placed fi rst or second in the league. Itwas also the 10th straight year that CMUposted an overall winning record.CMU competed at the NCAA Regionalsfor the fi fth time in the last seven years in2005. During the 2005 season, CMU wasranked as high as 12th in the national polls,by far its highest ascent in the rankings.The Chippewas swept through all of theirMAC regular season dual meets for the thirdconsecutive year, the seventh time theyaccomplished that feat under Reighard.Their conference dual meet winning streakreached 27 straight at the end of 2005.In 2004, the Chippewas won their10th MAC title under Reighard. CMU senttwo all-arounders, Sara Burtinsky andKara Reighard, to the NCAA Regionalswith Burtinsky advancing to the NCAAChampionships.The Chippewas dominated the 2004MAC Championship meet, sweeping theindividual events and scoring a school andconference record-breaking 197.525.The 2003 squad fi nished with a 30-6-1 record and was undefeated, 12-0, inconference action for the fi fth time (nowsix) in Reighard’s career. The team brokenumerous school and MAC records and hadits best NCAA fi nish ever. CMU posted itshighest fi nish in the regional meet, fi nishingin a tie for second and missing out on a bidto the NCAA Championships after losing atie-breaker to Auburn.Reighard has compiled a 320-163-3dual meet record and a 142-37 MAC recordduring his coaching career. His MAC recordis the best in conference history.In the process, Reighard has developedseveral outstanding individual talents. Thelist includes 42 MAC individual champions,14 fi rst team academic All-MAC picks,eight NCAA regional qualifi ers, threeNCAA regional champions, and six NCAAChampionship qualifi ers.Reighard also has stressed academicsduring his tenure. His squads have beenranked in the top 20 in the nation for teamgrade point average seven times. TheChippewas were ranked sixth in 1997,seventh in 1998, and sixth in 1999.Reighard has been a nationally ratedjudge since 1975 and an internationallyrated judge since 1980. He has judgeda variety of national and internationalmeets. He was a master scorer at the 1996Olympic Games, worked at the 1991 WorldChampionships, and judged at the nationallevel and Olympic trials for men.Reighard spent a year at CMU as agraduate assistant in 1975 before coachingthe boys’ and girls’ gymnastics teams atIonia High School for 10 years. He led theboys’ team to the state championship in1983 and ’84.Reighard graduated from CentralMichigan University in 1974 and earneda master’s degree from his alma mater in1980.Jerry and his wife, Nancy, have beenmarried for 32 years. They have fourchildren - Brett (26), Kara (24), Jill (21), andMark (18). Nancy is an assistant coach forCMU this season.The Reighard Family (left to right): Kara, Nancy, Mark, Jerry, and Jill. (Not pictured: Brett)Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics1810-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Coach Reighard Q & AWhat is your coaching philosophy?I love coaching and believe God hasgiven me an ability to understand andwork with young people. Coaching isabout motivating and encouraging. Iwant my athletes to reach their greatestpotential, to be their very best individually,but what is most important and reallyexciting is what can be achieved when ateam works together to reach its goals.CMU gymnastics has won more Mid-American Conference titles than anyother school. Why is that?We have 10 MAC titles, and I attributethose championships to terrifi c work ethicand dedicated athletes with heart. Werecruit athletes whowant to learn, and weencourage and guidethem to compete at alevel they didn’t thinkthey were capable of.We challenge themto stretch themselvesand dream a little.Our team goal eachand every year is towin the MAC title.Is there a keyword to describeyour program?“Perseverance”is the key wordto describe CMUgymnastics. Ourgymnasts mustwork very hard tomaster new skills. They must take risks,overcome fears, and remain diligent intheir pursuit of excellence. Meets are wonby hundredths of a point. That’s a bentknee or fl exed foot. Gymnasts are toughand overcome many obstacles. I tell myathletes that there is nothing they can’tattain if they persevere through adversity.Winners have perseverance, in the gymand in life.Why are your gymnasts assuccessful in the classroom as theyare in the gym?Complete concentration is a key factorto successful gymnastics competition.Mental training is essential. We prideourselves on being one of the topacademic gymnastics teams in the nation.Every season we have academic All-Americans and all-conference academicwinners. We’ve had Rhodes Scholarhonorees. We recruit athletes with highacademic expectations. Add that to thementoring programs of our NCAA awardwinningacademic center at CMU and webecome as competitive in the classroomas we are on the apparatus.After 21 years of coaching, whatdo your alumnae say about CMUgymnastics?There are two things I hear mostoften. The fi rst being how much theyappreciated the family atmosphere ofCMU gymnastics. And secondly, howtheir experience with CMU gymnasticsprepared them for real life, to work hardat a job and raise a family with values.I’ve always said that athletics mirrors reallife.What are the goals for the team in2007?As always, the fi rst and most importantgoal for this season is to win the Mid-American Conference championship. Inorder to achieve other goals that we set,we need to be the best team in the MAC.Another signifi cant goal is to qualify forand compete at an NCAA Regional meet.We intend for this team to be ranked inthe top 15 in the nation and to qualify forthe NCAA Championships.What is the most important qualityyou pass on to your gymnasts as ahead coach?My teams learn that their work ethicdefi nes them inthe competitivearena and willshape their futurein their careers.Champions aremade, not born,and our gymnastshave seen theirupperclassmenrise to the top asa result of whatthey do each andevery day.How and whydo you recruitinternationally?We comb thenation, as wellas Canada, foronly the bestgymnasts. We look near and far becausemy goal is to bring in better athletes thanare presently in the program. That is theonly way to continuously raise the levelof CMU gymnastics. If a recruit gets aninvitation to make an offi cial visit here toCentral Michigan University, she shouldfeel very proud.Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics1910-time Mid-American Conference Champions

The Reighard Era1985: Reighard’s first year as headcoach … becomes fourth head coach atCMU … Chippewas have first ever All-MAC selection, Kay Hubbel, on balancebeam … CMU earns first victory in twoyears.1986: CMU records first MAC victory inthree years … Kim Goodrich becomesthe second All-MAC selection … teamcomes close to .500 season with a 9-10record.1987: CMU’s first ever MAC championis Michelle Paolucci on the balancebeam … two All-MAC selections withJosephine Smith placing second onuneven bars … CMU jumps fromlast place in the MAC for four straightseasons to a fourth-place finish––thehighest finish ever for a Chippewa team.1988: Another MAC individual championas Amy Trapp wins floor exercise forCMU … Chippewas post first winningseason in eight years (12-10) … JerryReighard named MAC Coach of the Year.1989: The road to success starts as theChippewas go 11-3 (5-1 MAC) and takesecond place at the MAC Championshipsto Kent State by two tenths … DebbieSkeppstrom becomes the third CMUindividual MAC champion, winninguneven bars … Renee Counard isselected to the All-MAC team along withSkeppstrom.1990: The decade of champions beginsas CMU wins its first MAC championship… Shelby Root takes the all-aroundand floor exercise … Kim Lestan winsvault … all three post new event scoringrecords … CMU dominates the All-MACselections when Christine Ebert joinsthe two champions to take three of fiveAll-MAC spots … Shelby Root becomesCMU’s first NCAA qualifier in the allaround… CMU finishes first undefeatedMAC season.1991: The Chippewaswin second MAC title,setting a new MACteam-scoring record… CMU posts thewidest winning marginin MAC history–3.45points over WMU …Kim Lestan repeats asvault champion and winsfloor exercise … ChristaCowden wins the unevenparallel bars … all threechampions score over a9.500.1992: CMU wins a thirdMAC title and becomesthe first team to threepeat… CMU claims thetitle with the narrowest margin in MAChistory with a .050 win over EasternMichigan … Terri Tubbs is crowned MACbalance beam champion.1993: CMU wins its fourth title in fourstraight years — the only team to everwin four team titles ... Christa Cowdenwins her second individual title on barsand becomes the second gymnast to benamed All-MAC for three straight years.1994: Another winning season … NaomiGrahn is the sole All-MAC selection …the loss of a championship class puts astrain on the lineup.1995: The Chippewas claim an upsetvictory at the MAC Championship …Jenny Snell wins the all-around …Naomi Grahn wins the uneven bars …Ginny Goldberg places second on beam… all receive first team All-MAC honors… Jerry Reighard is named MAC Coachof the Year.1996: A string of injuries to key gymnastsand one bad event at the championshipsputs CMU in third place … AmandaGdovicak is the Chippewas’ lone All-MACReighard accepts the 2004 MAC Coach of the Yearaward, which he has earned a record six times.selection with a second-place finish onvault.1997: CMU recruits a strong freshmanclass and posts another winning season… the Chippewas take second at theMAC Championships … Selina Nickasonwins uneven bars and is named firstteam All-MAC … Nicole Bills also isnamed first team All-MAC.1998: Central produces the winningestteam in school history with a record of23-3, 12-0 MAC … the team claimsits sixth MAC team championshipand wins the National InvitationalTournament … Selina Nickason winsher second individual MAC bars title… Amber Gaskill wins all-around …both are named first team All-MAC andNIT collegiate All-Americans … JerryReighard awarded NIT National Coachof the Year by USA Gymnastics and MACCoach of the Year.1999: CMU makes its first NCAA teamappearance in the Central Regional atLSU and places third … Nicole Bills isCMU’s first NCAA national qualifier inall-around at Utah … CMU wins the MACCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2010-time Mid-American Conference Champions

The Reighard Erachampionship with a new team recordscore … Nicole Bills wins the beam titleand Nikki Liphardt wins the floor exercise… they join Bethany Couturier on thefirst team All-MAC squad.2000: Undefeated in the MAC season …second three-peat in school history …eighth team title … CMU wins its secondNational Invitational Tournament in MountPleasant … USA Gymnastics namesCoach Reighard National Coach of theYear for the second time … TammyVerrinder and Nikki Liphardt share theMAC title on bars … Liphardt wins thefloor exercise and becomes the firstregional event champion, winning floorexercise at regionals and advancing tothe NCAA Championships at Boise State… CMU advances to the NCAA Regionaland places fourth.2001: A second-place MAC finish isovershadowed by CMU winning three offour events plus the all-around individualtitle … Tammy Verrinder repeats herbar title and adds the vault title as asophomore … Sarah Dame wins theall-around championship and LauraChow wins the balance beam title …Gina Black, Dame, Verrinder, and Chowmake All-MAC … Verrinder posts CMU’sfirst-ever 10.0 (vault) … two weeks later,Chow scores a 10.0 on vault, and CMUupsets Kent State by one-tenth of a point.2003: CMU claims its ninth MAC title andbreaks the school record for team scorewith a 197.425 … Chippewas post fifthundefeated MAC record … CMU ties forsecond at the NCAA Central Regional… the Chippewas win every individualtitle at the MAC Championships …Michele Orloski scores a perfect 10 infloor exercise twice and Katie Teft doesso twice on bars … Kara Reighardsets a school record in the all-arounden route to three MAC individual titles(all-around, vault, floor) … Teft wins thebars, Bethany Couturier wins the beamand Orloski ties Reighard for first on floorat the MAC Championships … Reighard,Teft, and Sarah Dame advance to NCAAChampionships.2004: CMU once again sweeps eachevent, claiming its 10th MAC title …shatters last year’s school record with ascore of 197.525 … Sara Burtinsky winsbars, beam, and all-around, StephanieLangley ties for first in floor and KaraReighard ties for first in vault at MACChampionships … Burtinsky goes toNCAA Championships and finishes 23rdin all-around.2005: CMU reaches as high as the No.12 national ranking … goes undefeatedin MAC dual meets for third consecutiveseason … finishes second at the MACChampionships … Sara Burtinsky winstwo MAC titles, on the uneven bars andin the all-around … CMU is a seededteam at the NCAA Regionals for the firsttime, getting sent to compete at the WestRegional in Seattle, Washington … KaraReighard scores a perfect 10 on the floorexercise at the State of Michigan Classic… a record crowd of 2,267 fans watchCMU defeat Stanford on February 4.2006: CMU overcomes a slow startto the season to finish with a winningrecord for the 10th consecutive season… after finishing fourth in the MAC inthe regular season, CMU takes secondat the MAC Championships … MattieCrawford, Danielle Espinoza, and JulesPassy all qualify for the NCAA Regionals… three Chippewas earn Academic All-MAC honors for the first time in programhistory.2002: CMU has a bittersweet MACChampionships by placing second whilefour individuals win MAC titles … KaraReighard wins the all-around title with aschool record-tying 39.425 … Reighardbecomes the first MAC FreshmanGymnast of the Year in CMU history …Bethany Couturier, Shanna Duggan,Michele Orloski, and Reighard are allMAC champions and are named All-MAC… the team sets a season-high 195.725in a home meet and a new balancebeam record (49.250).Reighard and the 2004 MAC Championship squad display the trophies collectedby CMU Gymnastics during the coach’s tenure with CMU.Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2110-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Meet the CoachesChristine MacDonaldAssociate Head Coach14th SeasonChristine MacDonald enters her 14th yearas Central Michigan University’s assistantcoach and her third year as the associatehead coach.MacDonald has moved into a new era forChippewa gymnastics. Since coming to CMUas a gymnast in 1987, MacDonald’s dutieshave expanded and increased with everyseason.What was supposed to have been atwo-year engagement has now turned into arewarding career.“When I first came to CMU as a coach, Iwasn’t sure how long I would stay,” Christinesaid. “I always knew I would love coachingwith Jerry (Reighard), and I knew I missed thegym, and this seemed to be a good fit.”Now, 14 years later, Coach Reighard andCoach MacDonald have formed a unifiedfront at the helm of Chippewa gymnastics.Between them, they have a combined 36years of coaching experience. They are alsoone of the few coaching staffs in the nationwho have been together more than 10 years.During her time on CMU’s staff, MacDonaldhas been a part of all but one of theChippewas’ 10 championships — three asan athlete and six as a coach.In the gym, Christine is responsible forthe daily workout plans, spotting, nutritionaloversight, and conditioning programs, alongwith overseeing floor and beamchoreography.“One of Christine’s strengthsas a coach is technical analysisof routines,” said Reighard. “Shealso brings the stability andcharacter the team needs andexpects.”Under the guidance ofMacDonald, CMU has producedthe Mid-American Conferencebalance beam champion fiveof the past seven years. Shehas also aided in the coachingof five individual NCAA nationalqualifiers over the past threeyears.In 2003, she was named NCAA CentralRegion Assistant Coach of the Year.Outside of the gym, MacDonald serves asthe team’s travel and recruiting coordinator,meet director, and summer camp director.Christine and her husband, Keith, havethree children and reside in Mount Pleasant.The MacDonald Family (left to right): Christine,Lance, Lauren, Keith, and JessicaYou are the associate head coach. Whatdoes that position entail?Since I became the associate head coachthree years ago, my roles have been moreclearly defined, and I have a more permanentpresence in the program. My job is allencompassing— I’m directly in involvedin every aspect of the program, includingrecruiting, budgeting, office management, gymactivities, camps, and promotions. Jerry hasallowed me to work closely with him on everyaspect of the program, and being an associatehead coach at CMU allowed me to further myown career without leaving a great program.Coach MacDonald Q&AWhat makes CMU such a greatgymnastics program?First and foremost, this program builds aperson from the inside out. It takes studentathletesand makes them into great peopleand fearless competitors. Second, anyone whobecomes a part of this program becomes partof a family. We’ve been able to create a familyatmosphere, and that’s due in no small partto the coaching relationship Jerry and I have,having been together for 14 years. It’s one ofthe things that separates us as a program.The continuity has allowed CMU to continue atradition of excellence.What type of gymnast are you looking forwhen you are out recruiting?We are looking for student-athletes who arewilling to give 100 percent effort every day,who are willing to push themselves to improve,and who want to be the best. CMU is wellknownfor being a program that teaches newskills throughout a gymnast’s career. CMU isalso known for its values. Recruits that come toCMU are not only among the best in the nation,but they represent the attitude of our program.We want young women who love gymnastics,are driven to be successful, and compete withtremendous heart every single day.Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2210-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Meet the CoachesNancy ReighardAssistant CoachFifth SeasonNancy Reighard rejoins the coaching staffas an assistant coach for the Chippewas in2007. It will be her fifth season coaching forCMU, but her first since 1989.“Nancy brings valuable experience and awealth of knowledge that has been untappedin recent years,” head coach Jerry Reighardsaid. “Her expertise on both floor exerciseand balance beam, especially in the area ofchoreography, will make a big impact on ourteam this season.”Reighard spent four seasons as anassistant coach at CMU from 1986-89.During that time, she coached two Mid-American Conference champions on floorexercise and balance beam.Reighard began her coaching career in1975, serving as the head coach of the girls’gymnastics team at Ionia High School forsix years. She was also the director of thecommunity education gymnastics program inIonia from 1976-84.After concluding her stint on the CMUcoaching staff, Reighard took over as thedirector of the Mount Pleasant GymnasticsCenter from 1989-95.Reighard was a standout collegiategymnast at CMU. She was a member of the1976 team — the only one in school historyto qualify for the national championships.Reighard was an Association forIntercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW)All-American on floor exercise as a senior.She held the school record on floor whenshe graduated and was an accomplishedperformer on balance beam as well.Reighard graduated from CMU in 1976with a degree in education.Reighard and her husband, Jerry, havebeen married for 32 years. Jerry is the headcoach at CMU, a position he has held forthe last 22 years. They have four children— Brett (26), Kara (24), Jill (21), and Mark(18).CMU Gymnastics Support StaffMatt ParkSports InformationAssistantLeslie HildebrandtNutritionistCandace StahlAthletic TrainerDr. Thomas KeatingOrthopedic SurgeonCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2310-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Gymnastics Family“The history of this program dates back to 1985when I remarked to my fi rst team, ‘I hate to losebut if that happens we will handle defeat as wedo winning … with pride and respect for eachother and our university.’”– Head Coach Jerry Reighard“Athletes decide to become gymnasts at Central Michigan University because we are not a maintenance program.I pledge to every gymnast that I will get every tenth of a point from them during their career at CMU. Our traditionmeans becoming part of the family which includes alumni, current team members and, of course, my own family.”– Head Coach Jerry ReighardCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2410-time Mid-American Conference Champions

ChippewaHistoryKara Reighard earned a perfect 10.0 in the floor exercise twicein her career.Michelle Orloski recorded perfect 10.0s in back-to-backweeks in 2003.Laura Chow tallied her perfect 10.0 on the vault at Kent Statein 2001.Katie Taft earned a perfect 10.0 on the uneven barstwice in 2003.

2006 Recap2006 Overall Record: 13-10 MAC Record: 8-4Date Score W/L Opponent Opp. Score RecordJan. 21 187.950 L at Bowling Green 189.325 0-1, 0-1 MACJan. 29 192.250 L vs. Illinois 192.925 0-2, 0-1 MACW at Northern Illinois 190.450 1-2, 1-1 MACFeb. 3 192.425 State of Michigan ClassicL No. 4 Michigan 196.375 1-3, 1-1 MACL Michigan State 193.525 1-4, 1-1 MACW Western Michigan 192.300 2-4, 1-1 MACW Eastern Michigan 191.800 3-4, 1-1 MACFeb. 11 189.475 L at Eastern Michigan 189.600 3-5, 1-2 MACFeb. 19 192.375 W Ball State 186.800 4-5, 2-2 MACFeb. 24 192.050 L Kent State 193.125 4-6, 2-3 MACFeb. 26 191.800 at Masters Classic (Lincoln, Neb.)L at No. 10 Nebraska 195.250 4-7, 2-3 MACL vs. San Jose State 192.825 4-8, 2-3 MACW vs. Northern Illinois 191.625 5-8, 2-3 MACMarch 5 190.850 W at George Washington 190.675 6-8, 2-3 MACMarch 12 194.725 L Kentucky 194.825 6-9, 2-3 MACW Rhode Island 189.800 7-9, 2-3 MACMarch 18 194.650 W Western Michigan 192.975 8-9, 3-3 MACMarch 25 193.175 MAC Championships (Kalamazoo, Mich.)L Western Michigan 193.800 8-10, 3-4 MACW Kent State 192.700 9-10, 4-4 MACW Eastern Michigan 192.075 10-10, 5-4 MACW Northern Illinois 191.225 11-10, 6-4 MACW Bowling Green 190.875 12-10, 7-4 MACW Ball State 188.225 13-10, 8-4 MACCHIPPEWA SPOTLIGHTSara BurtinskyMAC All-Around Champion; 2004, 2005MAC Uneven Bars Champion; 2004, 2005MAC Balance Beam Champion; 2004NCAA Regional Bars Champion; 2004NCAA Championships Qualifi er; 2004MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year; 2005CHIPPEWA SPOTLIGHT2006 Individual Season HighsName Vault Bars Beam Floor All-AroundWhitney Burton 9.675 (3/5) 9.825 (3/18) 9.700 (2/3) 9.800 (2/3) 38.475 (3/18)Nicole Cherryhomes 9.750 (2/26) 9.650 (2/11)Mattie Crawford 9.900 (2/11) 9.825 (2/26) 9.850 (2/3)Danielle Espinoza 9.625 (2/11) 9.800 (2/19 9.875 (2/19)Stephanie Langley 9.725 (2/3) 9.775 (2/3) 9.850 (2/3)Brittany Logan 9.550 (2/11)Michelle Lopez 9.725 (3/18)Jessica Neel 9.700 (3/24) 9.725 (2/3) 9.750 (2/19) 9.750 (2/3) 38.625 (2/19)Jules Passy 9.625 (1/21) 9.800 (3/12) 9.875 (3/12) 9.800 (2/3) 38.900 (1/29)Sheena Smith 9.850 (3/18) 9.850 (2/19) 8.950 (1/21) 9.025 (2/11) 36.850 (1/21)School Records 10.00 10.00 9.950 10.00 39.625Kara ReighardMAC Freshman of the Year: 2002MAC All-Around Champion: 2002, 2003MAC Vault Champion: 2003, 2004MAC Floor Exercise Champion; 2003NCAA Championships Qualifi er; 2003MAC Gymnast of the Year; 2005Tallied two perfect 10.0s on the fl oor exerciseBill Boyden Leadership Award WinnerCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2610-time Mid-American Conference Champions

MAC ChampionsShelby Root1987Amy Trapp1988Debbie Skeppstrom1989Kim Lestan1990, 1991Christa Cowden1991, 1993Terri Tubbs1992Naomi Grahn1995Jenny Snell1997Selina Nickason1997, 1998Amber Gaskill1998Nicole Bills1999Nikki Liphardt1999, 2000Sarah Dame2001Tammy Verrinder2000, 2001Laura Chow2001Bethany Couturier2002, 2003Michele Orloski2002, 2003Kara Reighard2002, 2003, 2004CHIPPEWA SPOTLIGHTShanna Duggan2002Katie Teft2003Year Gymnast ..................Event ................... Score1987 Michelle Paolucci ......Balance Beam ........ 9.251988 Amy Trapp ................Floor Exercise ......... 9.301989 Debbie Skeppstrom ..Uneven Bars ........... 9.401990 Shelby Root ..............Floor Exercise ......... 9.40Shelby Root ..............All-Around.......... 37.500Kim Lestan ...............Vault....................... 9.551991 Christa Cowden ........Uneven Bars ........... 9.65Kim Lestan ...............Floor Exercise ......... 9.50Kim Lestan ...............Vault....................... 9.501992 Terri Tubbs ................Balance Beam ........ 9.601993 Christa Cowden ........Uneven Bars ........... 9.701995 Naomi Grahn .............Uneven Bars ........... 9.80Jenny Snell ...............All-Around.......... 38.5251997 Selina Nickason ........Bars ....................... 9.901998 Selina Nickason ........Floor Exercise ......... 9.90Amber Gaskill ...........All-Around.......... 39.1001999 Nicole Bills ................Balance Beam ........ 9.85Nikki Liphardt ...........Floor Exercise ....... 9.9752000 Nikki Liphardt ...........Bars ....................... 9.85Nikki Liphardt ...........Floor Exercise ....... 9.925Tammy Verrinder .......Bars ....................... 9.85Sara Burtinsky2004, 2005MAC Individual ChampionsCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics27Stephanie Langley2004Year Gymnast ..................Event ................... Score2001 Tammy Verrinder .......Vault..................... 9.925Tammy Verrinder .......Bars ..................... 9.875Laura Chow ..............Balance Beam ...... 9.925Sarah Dame ..............All-Around.......... 39.1502002 Bethany Couturier .....Beam ................... 9.875Shanna Duggan ........Vault..................... 9.900Michele Orloski .........Floor Exercise ....... 9.900Kara Reighard ...........All-Around.......... 39.4252003 Kara Reighard ...........All-Around.......... 39.625Kara Reighard ...........Vault..................... 9.925Kara Reighard ...........Floor Exercise ....... 9.950Michelle Orloski ........Floor Exercise ....... 9.950Katie Teft ..................Bars ..................... 9.975Bethany Courturier ....Beam ................... 9.8752004 Sara Burtinsky ..........All-Around.......... 39.550Sara Burtinsky ..........Bars ..................... 9.925Sara Burtinsky ..........Beam ................... 9.975Kara Reighard ...........Vault..................... 9.950Stephanie Langley ....Floor Exercise ....... 9.9502005 Sara Burtinsky ..........All-Around.......... 39.250Sara Burtinsky ..........Bars ..................... 9.875Nicole BillsNCAA Championships Qualifi er; 1999NCAA Regional Qualifi er; 1999MAC Balance Beam Champion; 1999All-MAC; 199910-time Mid-American Conference Champions

MAC Team ChampionsCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2810-time Mid-American Conference Champions

MAC Team ChampionsCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics2910-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Academic HonorsAcademic All-MACFirst TeamElizabeth Bailey .......................................1987Mieke Weissert ........................................1994Jenny Snell .................................... 1995, 1996Amber Gaskill ..........................................1998Selina Nickason .......................................1998Sarah Dame .............................................2003Kara Reighard ................................ 2004, 2005Stephanie Langley ...................................2006Jules Passy ............................................2006Sheena Smith .........................................2006Honorable MentionShelby Root .............................................1990Kim Lestan ..............................................1991Christa Cowden ............................. 1992, 1993Kim Holmes .............................................1993Vicki Epple ..................................... 1995, 1996Selina Nickason .......................................1997Nicole Bills ...............................................1998Laura Chow .............................................1998Nikki Liphardt ..........................................1998MAC Honor RollAmber Gaskill ..........................................1999Rebecca Wildgen .....................................1999Nicole Bills ..................................... 1999, 2000Autumn Hanson ............................. 1999, 2000Nicole Liphardt .............................. 1999, 2000Gina Black ........................... 1999, 2000, 2001Laura Chow ......................... 1999, 2000, 2001Andrea Price ........................ 1999, 2000, 2001Tara Cartier ..............................................2000Sarah Dame ................................... 2000, 2001Kelly Duce ..................................... 2000, 2001Sarah Nelson ................................. 2000, 2001Bill Boyden AwardVicki Epple ...............................................1995Kara Reighard ..........................................2004CoSIDA Academic All-District IVJenny Snell ..............................................1996Sarah Dame ....................................... 2002, 03NACGC Academic All-AmericansMieke Weissert .................... 1991, 1992, 1993Christine Mueller .....................................1993Kim Holmes .............................................1993Jenny Snell .................................... 1994, 1995Vicki Epple ........................... 1994, 1995, 1996Amber Gaskill ..........................................1995Rachael Adams .............................. 1995, 1996Christine Mueller ........................... 1995, 1996Selina Nickason ......... 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998Wendy Gross ................................. 1995, 1996Amber Gaskill ............ 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999Jenny Snell .......................... 1994, 1995, 1996Nicole Bills ................. 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000Theresa Campanaro.................................1997Lesli Chambers ........................................1997Becky Wildgen ............................... 1997, 1999Laura Chow ............... 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001Kerri McKay .............................................1998Andrea Price .............. 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001Autumn Hansen ............................. 1999, 2000Nikki Liphardt ................................ 1999, 2000Stacey Watson .........................................1999Gina Black ...............................................2001Sarah Dame ............... 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003Sarah Nelson ...........................................2001Bethany Couturier ....................................2001Tiffani Berra ................................... 2001, 2002Kelly Duce ..................................... 2001, 2002Sara Burtinsky .........................................2002Tara Cartier ..............................................2002Shanna Duggan .......................................2002Laura McLaren ........................................2002Kara Reighard ............ 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005Tiffany Dykstra .............................. 2004, 2005Stephanie Langley ...................................2005Jules Passy .................................. 2005, 2006Whitney Burton ......................................2006Jessica Neel ...........................................2006Brittany Logan .........................................2006Academic All-MAC SelectionsElizabeth Bailey1987Jenny Snell1995, 1996Selina Nickason1998Kara Reighard2004, 2005Mieke Weissert1994Amber Gaskill1998Sarah Dame2003Stephanie Langley2006Jules Passy2006Sheena Smith2006Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics3010-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Individual HonorsAll-MACKay Hubbel .............................................1985Kim Goodrich ..........................................1986Michelle Paolucci ................................. 1987`*Josephine Smith .....................................1987Amy Trapp ............................................ 1988*Shelby Root .......................1988, 1989, 1990*Renee Counard .......................................1989Debbie Skeppstrom .................... 1989*, 1991Kim Lestan ................................1990*, 1991*Christine Ebert ..............................1990, 1991Christa Cowden ............... 1991*, 1992, 1993*Stephanie Pannick ..................................1991Terri Tubbs ................................. 1992’*, 1993Naomi Grahn ....................1993`, 1994, 1995*Kim Holmes ............................................1993Mieke Weissert .......................................1994Jenny Snell ........................................... 1995*Ginny Goldberg .......................................1995Kerri McKay ............................................1995Selina Nickason .............. 1995`, 1997*, 1998*Amanda Gdovicak ..................................1996`Nicole Bills ................................1997`*, 1999*Amber Gaskill ....................................... 1998*Bethany Couturier ........... 1999`*, 2000, 2002*Nikki Liphardt ............................1999*, 2000*Tammy Verrinder .......................2000`*, 2001*Sarah Dame ................................ 2001*, 2003Laura Chow .......................................... 2001*Michele Orloski ..........................2002*, 2003*Kara Reighard ................2002`*, 2003*, 2004*Shanna Duggan ................................... 2002`*Katie Teft .............................................. 2003*Bethany Couturier ................................. 2003*Sara Burtinsky ...........................2004*, 2005*Stephanie Langley ................................ 2004**MAC Champion`All-MAC as a freshmanMAC Senior Gymnast of the YearShelby Root ............................................1990Selina Nickason ......................................1998Nikki Liphardt .........................................2000Laura Chow ............................................2001Sara Burtinsky ........................................2005MAC Gymnast of the YearSelina Nickason ......................................1998Kara Reighard .........................................2005MAC Freshman of the YearKara Reighard .........................................2002MAC Coach of the YearJerry Reighard ................... 1988, 1990, 1995,1998, 2004, 2005NIT National Coach of the YearJerry Reighard ..............................1998, 2000NCAA Regional QualifiersShelby Root ............................................1990Jenny Snell .............................................1996Selina Nickason ......................................1997Amber Gaskill .........................................1998Laura Chow ............................................2001Sara Burtinsky ........................................2004Kara Reighard .........................................2004Mattie Crawford ......................................2006Danielle Espinoza .................................2006Jules Passy ...........................................2006NCAA Championships QualifiersNicole Bills ..............................................1999Nikki Liphardt .........................................2000Katie Teft ................................................2003Sarah Dame ............................................2003Kara Reighard .........................................2003Sara Burtinsky ........................................2004NCAA Regional Championships1999...........................................3rd, 193.5502000...........................................4th, 193.2002002...........................................4th, 193.6752003..........................................2nd, 196.3502005...........................................6th, 194.125Returners in BoldCHIPPEWA SPOTLIGHTShelby RootMAC Senior Gymnast of the Year; 1990NCAA Regional Qualifi er; 1990MAC All-Around and Floor Champion; 1990All-MAC; 1988, 1989, 1990CMU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee; 2005CHIPPEWA SPOTLIGHTLaura ChowMAC Senior Gymnast of the Year; 2001NCAA Regional Qualifi er; 2001MAC Balance Beam Champion; 2001All-MAC; 2001Kim Lestan Josephine Smith Kay Hubbel Bethany CouturierCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics 31 10-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Individual RecordsAll-Around39.625 Kara Reighard at MAC Championships 3/29/0339.600 Sara Burtinsky vs. Kent State 2/29/04Kara Reighard vs. Kent State 2/29/0439.550 Sara Burtinsky at MAC Championships 3/19/0439.525 Kara Reighard at Eastern Michigan 2/14/0439.500 Jules Passy at MAC Championships 3/19/0439.450 Kara Reighard at Ball State 2/25/0539.425 Kara Reighard, last occurred at Kent State (2/14/03) two timesBethany Couturier vs. Kent State 2/13/00Vault10.00 Tammy Verrinder vs. Eastern Michigan 2/11/0110.00 Laura Chow at Kent State 2/16/019.950 Kara Reighard, last occurred at MAC Championships (3/19/04) two times9.925 Kara Reighard vs. Kent State 2/29/049.900 Mattie Crawford, last occurred at Eastern Michigan (2/11/06) fi ve timesSara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Northern Illinois (2/22/04) two timesShanna Duggan at MAC Championships 3/23/02Selina Nickason vs. Eastern Michigan 1/25/97Uneven Bars10.00 Katie Teft vs. Northern Illinois/Pittsburgh 2/23/0310.00 Katie Teft vs. Eastern Michigan 3/22/039.975 Katie Teft at MAC Championships 3/29/039.950 Sara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Northern Illinois (3/20/05) two timesKatie Teft vs. Bowling Green 3/15/039.925 Sara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Eastern Michigan (2/12/05) four times9.900 Sara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Kent State (2/18/05) three timesKara Reighard, last occurred vs. Bowling Green (3/7/04) three timesKatie Teft, last occurred vs. Michigan State/Ball State (3/1/03) three timesNikki Liphardt, last occurred vs. Western Michigan (3/11/05) two timesBethany Couturier at National Invitaional Tournament 4/8/00Selina Nickason at MAC Championships 3/22/97Tammy Verrinder vs. Western Michigan 3/11/00Balance Beam9.975 Sara Burtinsky at MAC Championships 3/19/049.950 Bethany Couturier at Wolfpack Invitational (N.C. State) 3/1/02Sara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Northern Illinois (3/20/05) two timesKara Reighard at Eastern Michigan 2/14/049.925 Sara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Western Michigan (3/12/04) three timesBethany Couturier, last occurred vs. Michigan State/Ball St. (3/1/03) two timesKara Reighard, last occurred at MAC Championships (3/19/04) two timesNicole Bills, last occurred vs. Western Michigan (3/11/00) two timesLaura Chow at MAC Championships 3/24/019.900 Sara Burtinsky, last occurred vs. Kent State four timesTiffany Dykstra, last occurred vs. Northern Illinois (3/20/05) three timesKara Reighard, last occurred at State of Michigan Classic (2/6/04) two timesMattie Crawford vs. Bowling Green 3/7/04Bethany Couturier vs. Kent State 2/13/00Shanna Duggan at West Virginia 3/9/02Michele Orloski vs. Western Michigan/Illinois State 2/9/03Floor Exercise10.00 Michelle Orloski vs. Bowling Green 3/15/0310.00 Michelle Orloski vs. Eastern Michigan 3/22/0310.00 Kara Reighard vs. Kent State 2/29/0410.00 Kara Reighard at State of Michigan Classic 2/6/059.975 Nikki Liphardt, last occurred at MAC Championships (3/27/99) three timesSelina Nickason vs. Ball State 3/14/989.950 Kara Reighard, last occurred at State of Michigan Classic (2/6/04) four timesMichele Orloski, last occurred at MAC Championships (3/29/03) two timesStephanie Langley at MAC Championships 3/19/049.925 Kara Reighard, last occurred vs. Illinois/Illinois State (1/8/05) three timesSarah Dame, last occurred vs. Eastern Michigan (3/22/03) two timesMattie Crawford at Bowling Green 3/7/04Kerri McKay vs. Western Michigan 2/28/98Tammy Verrinder at Kent State 2/16/01Returners in BoldTeam W L TAir Force 1 0 0Alabama 0 2 1Alaska-Anchorage 1 0 0Arizona 0 1 0Arizona State 0 1 0Auburn 3 1 1Ball State 38 11 0Boise State 0 1 0Bowling Green 29 13 0Brigham Young 0 2 0BrownFirst MeetingCal-State Sacramento 2 0 0Denver 2 0 0East Stroudsburg 1 0 0Eastern Kentucky 1 0 0Eastern Michigan 41 30 0Florida 0 3 0George Washington 3 1 0Illinois 1 4 0Illinois-Chicago 6 4 0Illinois State 12 3 0Indiana 2 5 0Indiana-Pennsylvania 0 1 0Indiana State 1 4 0Iowa 4 1 0Iowa State 1 3 0James Madison 4 0 0CMU vs. OpponentsKent State 27 18 0Kentucky 4 3 0Louisiana State 0 2 0Maryland 1 0 0Miami (Ohio) 5 0 0Michigan 6 25 0Michigan State 8 29 0Missouri 1 1 0Nebraska 0 1 0New Hampshire 3 0 0North Carolina 1 1 0North Carolina State 2 3 0Northern Illinois 26 7 1Northern Michigan 11 8 0Northwestern 1 0 0Notre Dame 2 0 0Ohio State 0 4 0Oklahoma 1 0 0Penn State 0 3 0Pittsburgh 4 0 0Purdue 2 0 0Rhode Island 1 0 0Sacramento State 1 0 0San Jose State 2 1 0Slippery Rock 1 7 0South Dakota State 1 0 0SE Missouri State 3 2 0Southern Illinois 3 1 0Southern Utah 0 2 0Southwest Missouri 1 1 0Stanford 1 2 0Temple 1 1 0Texas Woman’s 1 1 0Toronto 3 0 0UCLA 0 2 0UC-Santa Barbara 1 0 0Ursinus College 1 0 0Utah State 2 1 0Valparaiso 13 0 0Washington 0 1 0West Virginia 2 1 0Western Illinois 2 4 0Western Kentucky 1 0 0Western Michigan 52 19 1Wheaton College 2 0 0William & Mary 3 1 0Winona State 3 0 0Wisconsin 3 1 0Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1 0 0Wisconsin-Oshkosh 3 0 0Wisconsin-Stout 1 0 0Wisconsin-Superior 1 0 0Wisconsin-Whitewater 1 0 0Yale 2 0 0York 2 0 0Youngstown State 4 0 1Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics3210-time Mid-American Conference Champions

Year Overall MAC MAC Finish Coach1974-75 13-4 --- --- Fulp1975-76 6-4 --- --- Fulp1976-77 9-6 --- --- Fulp1977-78 7-9 --- --- Fulp1978-79 6-5 --- --- Piper1979-80 8-6 --- --- Piper1980-81 3-9 2-4 Fifth Piper1981-82 3-10 0-4 Fifth Piper1982-83 6-6 2-4 Seventh Piper1983-84 0-7-1 0-5 Seventh Piper1984-85 6-11 0-4 Seventh Reighard1985-86 9-10 1-5 Seventh Reighard1986-87 10-7 1-1 Fourth Reighard1987-88 12-10 0-2 Fourth Reighard1988-89 11-3 5-1 Second Reighard1989-90 14-3-1 8-0 First Reighard1990-91 9-6 4-2 First Reighard1991-92 9-4 4-1 First Reighard1992-93 17-5 5-0 First Reighard1993-94 11-9 3-1 Third Reighard1994-95 9-6 4-1 First Reighard1995-96 5-9-1 3-4 Third Reighard1996-97 11-10 9-3 Second Reighard1997-98 23-3 12-0 First Reighard1998-99 23-5 11-1 First ReighardSeason ResultsSeason-by-Season ReultsYear Overall MAC MAC Finish Coach1999-00 27-9 12-0 First Reighard2000-01 15-10 8-3 Second Reighard2001-02 18-13 9-3 Second Reighard2002-03 30-6-1 12-0 First Reighard2003-04 21-3 12-0 First Reighard2004-05 17-11 11-1 Second Reighard2005-06 13-10 8-4 Second ReighardTotals: 364-218-4 135-53The 1999 squad won the program’s seventh MAC championshipand became the fi rst team in school history to advance to the NCAATeam RecordsTeam ScoreScore Opponent Date197.525 MAC Championships 3/19/03197.425 MAC Championships 3/28/03196.725 Northern Illinois 3/20/05196.350 NCAA Regional 4/12/03196,225 Bowling Green 3/7/04196.050 Kent State 2/29/04196.050 Kent State 2/18/05196.025 Eastern Michigan 3/22/03Vault49.450 MAC Championships 3/19/0449.275 MAC Championships 3/28/0349.150 Kent State 2/14/0349.125 Bowling Green 3/7/0449.100 MAC Championships 3/24/0149.100 Kentucky/Michigan State 3/4/0549.025 Eastern Michigan 2/11/0149.025 Stanford 2/4/0549.000 NCAA Regional 4/12/03Uneven Bars49.550 MAC Championships 3/28/0349.400 Pittsburgh, Northern Illinois 2/23/0349.275 Bowling Green 3/15/0349.275 Southern Utah 3/7/0349.225 Northern Illinois 3/20/0549.200 MAC Championships 3/19/0449.175 Eastern Michigan 3/22/0349.175 Michigan State, Ball State 3/1/03Balance Beam49.475 Eastern Michigan 2/14/0449.325 MAC Championships 3/19/0449.325 Northern Illinois 3/20/0549.300 NCAA Regional 4/12/0349.250 Wolfpack Invitational 3/1/0249.225 Kentucky Quad 3/3/0049.200 Kentucky Quad 3/9/0149.125 Kent State 2/29/04Floor Exercise49.625 Eastern Michigan 3/22/0349.575 MAC Championships 3/28/0349.550 MAC Championships 3/19/0449.550 Bowling Green 3/15/0349.500 Bowling Green 3/7/0449.475 Kent State 2/16/0149.425 Southern Utah 3/7/03CHIPPEWA SPOTLIGHTNikki LiphardtNCAA Championships Qualfi er; 2000NCAA Central Region Floor Champion; 2000MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year; 2002MAC Floor Champion; 1999, 2000MAC Bars Champion; 2000All-MAC; 1999, 2000Central Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics3310-time Mid-American Conference Champions

LetterwinnersAAblao, Teresa*Adams, Rachael**Arnold, Barbara****BBademian, Janice***Banda-Scott, Rhiannon*Bailey, Elizabeth****Baker, Amy***Barnes, Robyn*Bates, Kimberly****Baughman, Kim*Berdelman, Laura****Berger, Julie****Berra, Tiffani***Betts, Cheri**Bills, Nicole****Black, Gina****Britt, Sue**Brooks, Kendra***Brooks, Nancy****Brubaker, DeeAnn*Brydalski, Amie**Burke, Julia****Burtinsky, Sara****Burton, Whitney**CCampanaro, Theresa****Carew, Miriam****Cartier, Tara***Cawthra, Geri**Chambers, Lesli*Chow, Laura***Chow, Melissa*Counard, Renee*Couturier, Bethany****Cowden, Christa****Crawford, Mattie****Crawford, Sally****Crimmons, Mary*DDame, Sarah****Donovan, Susie**Downer, Cynthia****Drake, Julianne*Duce, Kelly***Duggan, Shanna**Dykstra, Tiffany***EEarle, Jodie*Ebert, Christine****Emerson, Jennifer*Epple, Vicki****Espinoza, Danielle**Everard, Kathy***Fagley, Kim**Feeney, Mary*Ferguson, Toni****Fletcher, Laura**Gaskill, Amber****Geib, Sandra**Gdovicak, Amanda*Gibbs, Caroll*Gibson, Linda****Giffen, Peggy****Goddard, Colleen*Goff, Amy*Goldberg, Ginny**Goodrich, Kim****Gould, Donna**Grahn, Naomi****Gross, Wendy****Haas, Marlo**Hanna, Sherry*Hansen, Autumn****Haubenstricker, Amy*Helm, Crandall Brooks**Herrala, Laure*Hofsetter, Jenny****Holmes, Kim****Hoopingarner, Ronda****Horrocks, Diane****Hubbell, Kay****Judge, Kelly***FGHJKKailing, Jean*Karhu, Kara**Kirkman, Chris***Knight, Missy*Kryssing, Tracey*LLangley, Stephanie****Lautner, Michelle****Lestan, Kim**Letsche, Leigh****Leverenz, Melinda*Lind, Kari*Liphardt, Nicole****Longuski, Stephanie*Marlatt, Mary****McCarthy, Karen*McClay, Deb*McKay, Kerri****McLaren, Laura***McNeal, Sherri*Meischke, Paige*Meyer, Annette*Mueller, Christine**Mullane, Karen****Myers, Terri*Nagy, Kathy*Neel, Jessica*Nelson, Sarah***Nickason, Selina****Nirva, Diane*Norton, Senise*Novak, Sue****Nurmula, L.***Nyland, Gloria*Orloski, Michele****Owens, Tonya**Pannick, Stephanie****Passy, Jules***Paolucci, Michele*Peek, Sharmane*Petronio, Karen*Pitkin, Tammy*Polks, Susan*Price, Andrea****Quail, Wendy*MNOPQRRafail, Beth****Raymor, Beth**Reighard, Kara****Reighard, Nancy****Richard, Sharon****Roberts, Cindy****Root, Shelby***Russell, Carmen***SSandnes, Kim*Sanford, Sally*Schulte, Karen***Shepherd, Lisa*Shutt, Judie*Skeppstrom, Debbie****Smeker, Beth****Smith, Elizabeth**Smith, Josephine****Smith, Kim*Smith, Lisa**Smith, Michele****Smith, Sheena***Snell, Jennifer***Spear, Sheri*Stephens, Charlene*Stegmier, Lori****Striggow, Leslie****Striggow, Vicki****Summers, Alexis*Szczepanski, Julie**TTeft, Katie*Trapp, Amy**Trudgen, Jeannette*Tubbs, Terri**VVargo, Marge****Vasiliauskas, Wendy****Vealey, Jackie****Veen, Jody**Verrinder, Tammy**WWatson, Stacey*Weissert, Mieke****Welsh, Michele*Wildgen, Becky***Wixson, Kiki****Wyllie, Michelle*****Letters EarnedReturnees in BoldCentral Michigan University Womenʼs Gymnastics3410-time Mid-American Conference Champions