March 12, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Several changes in the lineup resulted in high scores for the Illinois State gymnastics team, as the squad finished third in a tri-meet, competing against Illinois-Chicago and Michigan State Saturday afternoon.
The Redbirds posted a 190.600, just three-tenths of a point away from their season-high score of 190.900 set on Wednesday, March 9. Michigan State claimed the meet title, carding a 194.725; while Illinois Chicago fell in second with a 193.900.
Megan Goetting competed for just the third time this season on the uneven bars, turning in a team-high 9.600. This score earned her tenth place overall on the event. Goetting also was the high-scorer on the balance beam for the `Birds. She posted a 9.675 on the event, tying with two fellow team members for sixth place on the beam. Tove Fjordholm stepped into the balance beam lineup, completing a beam routine for the first time all season. Fjordholm also captured a 9.675. Finally, not only did Kelly Noonan tie for sixth place on the beam with Goetting and Fjordholm, but the Redbird senior met her season-high beam score, a 9.675. These three `Birds led the Illinois State beam team in carding its season-high event total, a 48.300.
Other leading scorers for Illinois State were Carolina Posada on the vault (9.600), and Cheryl Berezan on the floor (9.800).
Illinois State head coach Kristin Montero was pleased with her team's finish after a long week of competition.
"We had a good day," said Montero. "W\e posted the second-highest score of the year. It was a long meet for us, especially after two meets earlier in the week. Everyone was worn out but I'm proud of everyone for fighting. The team dug deep and competed with their all. We are excited going into the State meet next weekend. We needed another solid competition before next Saturday to build some confidence and momentum."
Illinois State travels to Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, March 9 to compete in the Illinois State Meet taking on in-state rivals, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois and Northern Illinois. The quadrangle meet is set to start at 7 p.m.
