The No. 10-ranked Illinois State gymnastics team will travel to Columbia, Mo., this weekend to Missouri's 21st Annual Cat Classic, a unique two-day event, similar in format to the NCAA Championships event held each spring.
On Friday, Feb. 2, the Redbird gymnasts will face head-to-head competition against Brigham Young (No.14), Bowling Green (No. 22), and host school, Missouri (No. 52) in battling it out for the team title. Missouri has won the title for the last two years and the 'Birds are looking to capture it, in their first trip to the classic.
The all-around title, awarded to the highest scoring individual competing on all four events-vault, bars, beam and floor-will also be awarded on Friday. Redbird prospects include, Michelle Houston, Denise Houda and Heather Mohler.
"We're going to treat Friday night like any other competition," said head coach Jill Hollembeak. "Our goals are always to improve our performances, be consistent and have fun."
The Redbirds have consistently improved their performances from week-to-week, despite a loss to Ball State last weekend in a triangular meet that left the 'Birds in second place to Ball State--a team that has not lost at home in nearly four years.
"We had some of our best performances of the season last weekend," said an elated Hollembeak following last weekend's triangular meet. "We keep improving and that's really encouraging for us."
Saturday night (Feb. 3rd) brings Olympic-style competition to the classic when the top eight performers on each apparatus from Fridays competition advance to a series of event finals. Four champions--on vault, bars, beam and floor--will be crowned.
"Saturday night holds no pressure for us. It will be laid back and give us the opportunity to perform to a crowd and really enjoy what we do," said Hollembeak.
The Redbirds will return to action at the Horton Fieldhouse when they face the University of Illinois-Chicago at home on February 18th at 7pm.
