The veterans of the Illinois State gymnastics squad led the way for the team by posting solid scores, however, their performance was not enough for the team to claim their first victory of the season against Illinois and Central Michigan, Saturday evening at Horton Field House.
The Redbirds posted a third-place 189.100, while the Fighting Illini took home first-place honors with a 193.825, edging out Central Michigan, who scored a 192.350.
Illinois State sophomore Whitney Albright placed seventh on the vault, with a 9.600, followed closely by freshman Carolina Posada (9.550). Albright went on to lead the Birds on the uneven bars, posting a 9.675. Veteran performers Andi Berry and Erin Cunningham also contributed with solid bar routines, carding a 9.625 and a 9.600, respectively.
Other top performers for Illinois State were Kara Strnad, who scored a 9.700 on the balance beam, tying for sixth. Junior Redbird Megan Goetting shared sixth place with Kara Strnad, also turning in a 9.700 on the beam. Goetting went on to claim seventh place with her floor exercise (9.750).
Lauren Newcomb of Illinois and Sara Burtinsky of Central Michigan shared the all-around title, both scoring a 38.775.
Illinois State head coach Kristin Montero had mixed feelings about her teams season debut.
I think the girls are kind of hanging their heads right now about tonights performance, said Montero. They expected to come out and perform a lot better. But I think we posted some really solid scores in the beginning, we just didnt build on them in the end like we need to do to come out on top.
We have several things to work on for next weeks meet, Montero continued. I did see, however, many positives in tonights meet.
The Birds return to action Saturday, January 15, as they host Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. in Horton Field House.
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