RESULTS
NORMAL, Ill. – Sophomore Meredith LaRoche won the all-around competition for the Illinois State gymnastics team Sunday, and helped the Redbirds to a 193.475-191.875 win over Midwest Independent Conference foe Southeast Missouri State at Horton Field House.
"I was very pleased with how we did on vault, bars and floor," said head coach Bob Conkling. "Meredith looked solid all the way through. Anna Marema was awesome on bars and Gabrielle Cooke had one of the best floor routines I've seen from her."
LaRoche took the top spot in the all-around competition and set a new personal best, aided by her second-place finishes on vault, bars and beam. She recorded scores of 9.750 on vault, 9.725 on bars and 9.725 on beam to finish the meet strong for the Redbirds and earn her second all-around victory of the season.
The Redbirds had several first-place finishes to aid their win as well. Cooke took first on floor with a personal-best score of 9.875. Marie Priest took first on vault with a score of 9.775. Marema took first place with a score of 9.775 on bars and Demi Pas also placed first with a score of 9.750 on beam.
"Balance beam is a tough event and our gymnasts just have to trust themselves," said Conkling. "We have to focus on small details and getting clean with handstands on bars during this week's practice."
The Redbirds hit the road to face Iowa State on Friday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m., and return home on Sunday to face Wisconsin-La Crosse at 11 a.m. in Horton Field House.Â
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