The Illinois State Redbirds rounded out the four in-state schools competing at the State of Illinois Classic, Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill. The Birds finished in fourth, carding a 193.250, behind Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, and Northern.
The Fighting Illini took home the unofficial state title, winning the meet handily with a 196.300. Illinois-Chicago finished in second, turning in a 194.475. The Huskies placed third at the four-way meet, carding a 194.225.
Illinois State was paced by senior Pam Hoover, who turned in the teams highest floor-exercise score. Hoovers 9.850 led the Birds, as the team went on to score their highest team floor score of the season. Other top finishers in the event were freshman Tove Fjordholm, who carded a 9.825, for 9th place at the meet. Also, Amy Biedenharn and Lisa Klein both scored a 9.8, tying for 11th place overall.
Whitney Albright, the Redbirds lone all-around competitor, led the way for the team on the vault, turning in a 9.750 and placing 9th overall. Albright, a freshman, went on to place sixth among all the all-arounders as she carded a 38.025 through four events.
Fellow freshman, Anne Fjordholm, led the Redbirds on the uneven bars. Fjordholm scored a 9.725 to lead the team and capture 13th place overall.
Klein was the leading scorer on the balance beam, as the Redbird team captain carded a 9.850 with her routine. The seniors score on the beam also placed her in a tie for first-place overall.
The Redbirds wrap up regular-season competition Wednesday, March 17, as they host conference competition Illinois-Chicago. The meet is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Horton Field House.
-- 30 --
