The No. 33 Illinois State gymnastics team recorded its second-highest team score of the season (192.400) on its way to defeating host Northern Illinois (191.825) and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (177.875), but was edged out by No. 27 Ball State (192.525) in a quadrangular meet, Sunday at Chick Evans Field House in DeKalb, Ill.
Although the Redbirds fell short as a team, several Redbird gymnasts proved it was their turn to shine.
Sophomore Pam Hoover and freshman Courtney Johnson recorded personal bests on the vault with scores of 9.625 and 9.600, respectively.
Junior Kristy Kreinbrink took top-honors on the bars with a score of 9.775, while teammate Denise Houda earned fourth-place honors with a score of 9.700. Houda went on to take first-place on the beam with a personal best score of 9.925.
Seniors Annie Chapman and Rena Fox tied for third-place on the beam with scores of 9.725. Kreinbrink and freshman Carlee Wright tied for fourth-place on the floor, each with marks of 9.800.
The Redbirds claimed team victories on the bars, with a score of 47.600, and on the beam with a 48.400. However, Ball States mark of 49.00 on the floor was enough for the Cardinals to claim the entire meet.
The Redbirds will look to improve on their 5-2 record at home on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in Horton Field House, when they take on the Falcons of Air Force Academy.
