NORMAL, Ill. – Senior Sami King, juniors Amanda Mohler and Danci Cha, sophomore Kristyn Bossle, and freshman Laura Jonas all scored a 9.800 or above throughout a dual-meet against Air Force Academy, to lead the Redbirds in a season-high score of 194.225-191.850 Friday night inside Horton Field House.
Head coach Bob Conkling was thrilled at his team's performance against a good Air Force team.
"I could not be happier as a coach," Conkling said. "The fans in attendance and the athletes could see the difference in the atmosphere of the meet. The energy and determination was there and each gymnast fought for every single routine."
The meet began competitively as Illinois State and Air Force each took scores of 47.875 after the first rotation. Bossle placed first in the vault competition, as she led the Redbirds with a score of 9.825. ISU took the lead after the second rotation by a score of 96.725-96.050. Mohler and King led the Redbirds on the uneven bars with scores of 9.800, placing first and second in the uneven bars competition, respectively. Sophomore Samantha Ward assisted with a score of 9.775 to place third, and Cha following in fourth place with a score of 9.750 to lead the Redbirds with a season-high team score of 48.850 on the event.
During the third rotation, the Redbirds maintained a close lead over the Falcons by a margin of 145.675-144.625. ISU was impressive, as all five gymnasts scored above a 9.750 on the balance beam. King carried the Redbirds with a score of 9.850 and Jonas followed with a score of 9.800. Mohler and freshman Kylie Meyer with scores of 9.775, respectively, and sophomore Demi Pas with a score of 9.750 to lead the Redbirds with a season-high team score of 48.950 on the balance beam.
"I was absolutely pleased with the team's performance on the balance beam," Conkling said. "I always knew the mentality for the beam was there, and tonight that all came together."
ISU ultimately took advantage of the final rotation in the floor competition, as Air Force suffered a rough balance beam competition with falls. Cha and Bossle carried the Redbirds with scores of 9.825 and 9.725, respectively, and Pas placed first in the all-around competition with a career-best score of 38.375, leading the Redbirds to a season-high team score of 194.225.
The Redbirds will continue a busy weekend of competition, when they to St. Charles, Missouri, on Sunday to face Lindenwood inside Hyland Arena, at 2 p.m.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
