The Illinois State womens gymnastics team was edged out for top honors at the Rocky Mountain Invite by host school Air Force Academy, Saturday in Colorado.
Air Force scored a 190.375 to top the previously unbeaten Redbirds 189.150 mark. Winona State finished third with a score of 182.325.
Illinois State was led by juniors Heather Mohler and Denise Houda. Mohler took second-place honors in the individual all-around competition with a score of 38.100, and led the team with a first-place finish on the vault with a score of 9.600. Houda had strong performances on the vault and beam and took top honors on the bars with a score of 9.825. However, the Redbirds struggled as a team and were unable to pull out a third straight victory, leaving the Redbirds with a record of 3-1.
The Redbirds started strong and claimed team victories on the vault with a score of 47.125, and on the bars with a 47.175. However, the Falcons of Air Force edged out the Redbirds with strong performances on the beam and floor, leaving the Redbirds to finish second on both events.
The Redbirds will be back in action on Sunday, February 3 when they travel to Dekalb, Ill., to take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois University.
