The No. 22 Illinois State gymnastics team captured a decisive victory (193.700-190.350) over rival Illinois-Chicago for the first time this season to win the Midwest Independant Conference title on Saturday night at Winona State University. Finishing second, Southeast Missouri State (190.550) topped Illinois-Chicago (190.350)and Winona State(185.350).
The Birds ability to outscore the Illinois-Chicago Flames makes the Redbirds fourth-ever NCAA Regional Championships berth almost definite. The team will receive official qualification news on Monday, Mar. 26.
The Redbirds have not qualified as a team for Regionals since 1995. Previous berths include the 1986 and 1988 seasons. Head coach Jill Hollembeak was a member of the 88 team.
Leading the Redbird charge on Saturday night was sophomore Heather Mohler from Wadsworth, Ohio who won the all-around conference title with a score of 38.525.
Senior Michelle Huston from Naperville, Ill. captured the floor exercise conference title with a score of 9.875 and finished second on the vault with a 9.675.
Junior Annie Chapman of St. Peters, Mo. and Senior Dana Luther of Batavia, Ohio shared top honors on the uneven bars with a pair of 9.700s and went second and third on the balance beam with scores of 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.
Strong performances for the Redbirds were also turned in by Kristy Kreinbrink of Leipsic, Ohio on vault (9.600) and floor exercise (9.800), and Lisa Klein of St. Peters, Mo. who scored a pair of 9.775s on the balance beam and floor exercise.
Illinois State finished second to Southeast Missouri State on vault but walked away with a trio of team conference titles on the uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
MEDIA NOTE: Official word regarding NCAA Regional qualification will arrive on Monday, Mar. 26 in the form of a phone call to the Athletics department. A media advisory will be released Monday afternoon.
