LaRoche Wins All-Around, Leads Gymnasts To Win over UW-La Crosse

RESULTS

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State gymnastics team competed for the second time in three days Sunday, this time against two-time defending National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) National Champion Wisconsin-La Crosse inside Horton Field House. Two strong rotations to end the day for the Redbirds led them to a 193.950-190.975 win over the Eagles, thanks in a part to a win in the all-round from sophomore Meredith LaRoche.

The Redbirds took the early lead after the first rotation, posting a 48.275 on bars while the Eagles posted a 46.675 on the uneven bars. UW-La Cross cut into the deficit and posted a 48.475 during the second rotation on vault, while the Redbirds recorded a 48.325 on bars. Illinois State widened its lead thanks to one of the strongest beam rotations of the season, with a 48.650 and a pair of 9.8 performances. ISU closed out the meet with a 48.700 on the floor to come away with the victory.

"We've struggled the past few meets on balance beam, so we decided to shake it up a bit and switch the lineup today," ISU head coach Bob Conkling said. "The team was excited about it and had a positive attitude about the change, which carried over into their performances. They have been doing that in practice every day, so I am glad to see that hard work is paying off and showing during competition."

For the third time this season and second time in three meets, LaRoche won the all-round with a personal-best score of 39.025.  LaRoche took second place in each of the individual events, with scores of 9.700 or above on each rotation, and finished the day with back-to-back scores of 9.800 on beam and floor to cap off a stellar performance. Freshman Gabrielle Cooke also had a solid afternoon, scoring 38.400 to finish second in the all-around behind her teammate. Cooke finished her day with consecutive scores of 9.875 on beam and floor, the two highest of the day by any gymnast, to set personal bests on both events.

"They are both underclassmen, and I am happy we get to have those two for several more years," Conkling said of LaRoche and Cooke. "They are both mature young women and are perfectionists in practice, and that seems to be paying off for them. When you compete in the all-around in just about every meet, it can take a toll on your body and they both seem to be handling it really well to this point."

Freshman Anna Marema was also an event winner, posting a score of 9.725 to win the bars competition as the Redbirds recorded the top five scores on the apparatus. Junior Marie Priest was consistent throughout as well, with a third-place finish on beam (9.750) and fourth-place finishes on vault (9.700) and floor (9.750). 

"I'm extremely pleased with our performances in both meets this weekend," Conkling concluded. "I'm interested to see how we stacked up against everyone else from our conference this weekend and look forward to next Sunday's meet at Denver."

The Redbirds will travel to Denver, Colorado, next Sunday, Feb. 26, to compete against Denver and Illinois is a tri-meet beginning at 2 p.m.

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