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Gymnastics competition promises to be a Classic

Ideally, the State of Michigan Classic is supposed to be a competition between five of the state's premier gymnastics programs.

The Classic features three Mid-American Conference schools, including Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan, as well as the Big Ten powerhouses, Michigan and Michigan State.

This year, though, the intra-state showdown looks more like two separate conference meets which are being held at the same place and time.

"It's going to be a tough meet," said Central Michigan head coach Jerry Reighard. "Unfortunately, it looks as though it will be a Big Ten race and a MAC race."

Michigan's field of competition seems to be drastically reduced from five to one, when comparing the overall team scores.

No. 9 Michigan State, seems to be the Wolverines' only opponent in their quest to capture their third Classic championship.

Both Big Ten schools have scored above 190 points in each of their meets this season, while none of the competing MAC schools have scored above the 190 mark.

Michigan State (3-0 Big Ten, 8-0 overall) recorded its highest team point total of the season last weekend with 192.250 points.

Despite its one conference loss, Michigan's highest season point total is still two points higher than that of Michigan State. The Wolverines' scored 194.750 points in their first meet of the season.

Michigan State will have to improve on last year's Classic performance, as well as their own season highs, if they are going to beat a Michigan squad with an abundance of talent.

Even though Michigan has been severely handicapped by a number of injuries, the depth of the squad allowed the team to score 193.400 points against Massachusetts. This score tops the performance turned in by the squad that won the 1995 Classic, when Michigan ran away with the title by almost four points.

The Wolverines know all too well, however, that winning gymnastic meets isn't as easy as intermediate tumbling.

"Michigan State will be the toughest competition, but anything can happen," said Michigan sophomore Lauren LaBranche.

Anything will most likely happen this weekend as it has all season long, especially when it comes to injuries.

A Michigan gymnast is looking more like an endangered species these days, as the team could possibly be competing with fewer than seven women. Michigan coach Bev Plocki can't seem to stop the plague of injuries that is ravaging her squad.

Senior Tina Miranda has succumbed to an injury suffered in practice, while fellow senior Dianna Ranelli suffered a nagging knee injury. She will find out if she can compete later this week.