CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Redbird gymnastics team finished fourth in the annual Illinois Classic quad-meet against Northern Illinois, UIC, and hosts Illinois Saturday afternoon in Champaign.
First place was the home team with a 195.425, in second Northern Illinois with a 194.225, followed by UIC with a score of 192.625, and finishing fourth the Redbirds with a 191.500.
"It's been a rough week for the team," head coach Bob Conkling said."We're competing with limitations of girls who were ill, and we had two concussions."
Individually, Meredith LaRoche pushed through all four events with minor injury to place sixth in the all-around with an individual score of a 38.175. On vault she scored a 9.650 on, bars a 9.100, a 9.600 on beam and with her best score of the night, floor with a 9.825.
"I was very happy with Meredith's floor routine," Conkling said. "She pushed through tonight with an injury and we needed that."
Tying for third on balance beam for all-state honors was Katherine Locher with a 9.825.
"Katherine had an awesome balance beam and deserved her scores and placement," Conkling said. "It's always nice to have a home meet following a meet like tonight. The girls will have less pressure and will be able to rest more."
The Redbirds welcomes all gymnastics club members to its annual Pack The Arena meet, which will be held March 10 at 7 p.m. inside Redbird Arena. Fans are invited to attend an autograph session post meet with the Redbird gymnasts.
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