NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State gymnastics head coach Bob Conkling has announced the team's gymnastics schedule for the 2017 season, which includes five home meets, one of them being the Illinois Classic against Illinois, Northern Illinois and University of Chicago.
The team will also compete in five away meets, before ending the season with the Midwest Independent Conference Championship.
"The season has some very strong competition, both in conference and out," Conkling said. "Out of conference, we compete against Big Ten powerhouse Illinois, Big 12 conference foe Iowa State and Northern Illinois, Bowling Green and Central Michigan from the MAC."
The Redbirds will hit the road and begin the season at the Ozone Classic against Temple, Centenary and Wisconsin-EAU Claire in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. The team will then compete against Bowling Green on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 4:30 p.m.
The team will then have its home-opening meet against UIC on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. The Redbirds will hit the road again to compete against Central Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m., and return home to compete against Southeast Missouri State on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m.
The Redbirds will head out to Iowa to compete against Iowa State on Friday, Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m., and return home to welcome Wisconsin-La Crosse on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. The Redbirds will then compete in a tri-meet at Denver, along with Illinois, on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m.
After two meets, the team will return to host the Illinois Classic on Sunday, March 5, at 2 p.m., and welcome Lindenwood for their final home meet on Friday, March 10, at 7 p.m.
The gymnastics season comes to an end with the MIC meet on Saturday, March 18, at 2 p.m., and the NCAA Regionals on Sunday, April 1.
"As for the Midwest Independent Conference, time will tell who will come out on top this year," Conkling said. "I'm sure it will be a very exciting and competitive season and a battle to the end for the conference title this year."
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