The Illinois State gymnastics team (No. 40) will take on its biggest in-state rival, University of Illinois-Chicago (No. 37), in an dual meet Saturday at 2 p.m. at UICs Physical Education Building.
The head-to-head competition is an influential meet for the Redbirds in the regional rankings. While Illinois State is ahead in the national rankings, the Flames are ranked No. 6 in the Southeast Regional Rankings, ahead of the No. 8 Redbirds. This will be an important meet for the Redbirds as they look to improve their regional ranking.
Head coach Beth Larson says the team is ready for a solid performance that will bring high scores to help in the rankings.
So far this season we have beaten ourselves out of the big scores. This weekend we are looking to stick our performances and compete to our highest potential, said Larson. We know we are so much more capable of what we have shown, and our goal is to go out there and compete the way we know how.
In the last match-up between Illinois State and UIC, the Birds were defeated in a dual meet, 194.600 - 193.825, when the Flames visited Horton Field House on Feb. 12. The Redbirds have an overall record of 7-7.
