As the Illinois State gymnastics teams season winds to a close, the Redbirds have two meets left to determine if they will qualify for the NCAA Regionals April 12 in Columbia, Mo. The first meet is Sunday in DeKalb, Ill., as the Redbirds take on three schools for the state championship at the new Convocation Center at 2 p.m.
At the State of Illinois Classic, Illinois State (5-9) will take on Illinois, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Illinois. Of the three other schools participating, the Redbirds have faced two this year. Illinois State hosted the Fighting Illini on January 25 and lost, 193.875 - 193.675, and has faced the Flames of Illinois-Chicago three times this season, trailing the season series 1-2.
When the Redbirds hosted the 2002 state championships, Illinois-Chicago walked away with the title, posting a score of 195.125. Northern Illinois earned 193.875, Illinois State tallied 193.850 and Illinois posted 193.150. Head coach Beth Larson hopes to improve upon last seasons third-place finish.
This weekend is really anybodys competition, Larson commented. Were going in with the mindset to win. Its a great competition going against all of the Illinois schools. Northern Illinois always feels like home, and were ready to establish a winning record.
The Redbirds will look for seniors Denise Houda, Heather Mohler and Jaime Reineck to lead them to a win. On Monday, March 17 versus Southeast Missouri State, Houda won the all-around competition with a final tally of 39.200, Mohler posted her highest all-around score of the season (38.850) and Reineck earned three scores of 9.850 in the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
Heather and Denise will both be competing in the all-around competition, Larson said. I fully expect both of them to challenge for the all-around title.
