The Illinois State gymnastics team put up its highest team uneven bars score of the season when it tallied a 48.800 behind three 9.8-plus performances, but it was not enough to lead the Redbirds to victory, as they placed fourth at the Wolfpack Invitational in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday.
Host North Carolina State, No. 26 in the country, captured the events top honors with a score of 196.100, North Carolina finished second with a score of 195.300, No. 23 Minnesota took third with a 194.650 and Illinois State, 5-7, finished fourth with a 193.475 score.
Senior Denise Houda, competing in her only event of the meet due to an injured foot, earned a 9.825 on the bars, tying her season-high mark. Kristy Kreinbrink and Kerry Tierney tabbed scores of 9.8, while Jaime Reineck posted a 9.725. Erin Cunningham rounded out the field with a 9.650.
On the balance beam, sophomore Lisa Klein tied for first-place honors when she posted a 9.925. Klein was the only Bird to place in the top three on any event.
Other highlights for the Redbirds included Reinecks performances on the beam (9.775) and floor exercise (9.725). Freshman Lauren Strnad earned a 9.725 on the beam, senior Heather Mohler tallied a 9.725 on the vault and freshman Amy Biedenharn posted a 9.725 on the floor.
The Redbirds wrap up their three-meet road stretch on Sunday, March 9, when they head to Chicago to face Illinois-Chicago in a 2 p.m. showdown.
