Hoping to end its losing streak at two, the Illinois State gymnastics team will hit the road again Sunday for a triangular meet with host Western Michigan and Central Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich., for a 1 p.m. start time.
The Redbirds (2-2) expect to face a challenge in No. 23 Central Michigan (11-1), who upset No. 11 Michigan last week at the State of Michigan Classic. Western Michigan (0-7) has not yet been able to break the 193-mark, which the Birds have topped twice on the season.
Weve got Heather Mohler moving into the all-around competition, along with Denise Houda, said head coach Beth Larson. The strong combination of these two veterans in the all-around will set the tone for all of our lineups.
Our precise work on details this week is going to give us an edge to compete well with Central Michigan, Larson continued. In the past, weve had strong competitions against Western Michigan and continue to improve each year we travel there. I expect there will be a higher level of Redbird gymnastics out on the floor this Sunday.
Illinois State is coming off a 196.475 - 193.600 loss to Missouri on January 30, but the Birds posted a score of 48.450 on the uneven bars, their highest score of the season.
The Redbirds will return home February 16, when they play host to in-state rival Illinois-Chicago at 5 p.m.
