Redbirds Score Season High at Illinois/Michigan Classic

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's gymnastics team recorded a season-high team score of 189.650, but ultimately took fourth place at the fifth-annual Illinois vs. Michigan Classic Saturday inside Horton Field House Saturday afternoon.

The teams from Michigan won the battle against the teams from the state of Illinois, as Eastern Michigan took first place with a team score of 194.650, while Central Michigan scored a 194.000 and Illinois-Chicago took third with a team score of 189.925. 

   Head coach Bob Conkling was disappointed about the loss, but was pleased to have scored a season-high team score along with his team producing individual personal-bests.

"Overall, there were some really good things that happened at this competition, despite placing fourth," Conkling said.

The meet began with ISU scoring a 48.075 on the vault, with sophomore Kristyn Bossle placing third with a score of 9.800. UIC posted a 48.700 on bars, Central Michigan posted a 48.075 on the balance beam, and Eastern Michigan tallyied a 48.475 on the floor during the first rotation.

 During the second rotation, the Michigan contingent remained in first place after EMU posted a 48.775 on vault. Sami King took eighth place on the uneven bars with a score of 9.750, putting the Redbirds in third with a running score of 96.000. 

The Redbirds were able maintain third place after the third rotation, but had several falls on the balance beam. 

 "We are back to square one on the balance beam," Conkling said. "As coaches, we have to figure out how to get out student-athletes to hit each routine on beam. We have to do our homework, to allow them to be more consistent on all 24 routines."

ISU moved to the floor exercise in the final rotation, with junior Danci Cha scoring a career-best of 9.825 to place second in the event.

Next up, the Redbirds host their third home meet of the season, facing Southeast Missouri for a second time on Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m., inside Horton Field House.

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