Jan. 28, 2006
Results
Bowling Green, Ohio -
Falling short of win, the Illinois State gymnastics team (3-3) returns from Bowling Green, Ohio with their heads held high. Bowling Green State tallied a final score of 189.100, while ISU turned in their 187.500. ISU head coach, Bob Conkling, did not have wavering spirits after the loss.
"I am really proud of my team and what they did accomplish tonight," said Conkling. "We came together as a team, just as we did last week against Southeast Missouri State. We were battling a lot of injuries and some score controversies, so it was a tough competition."
An individual highlight was Cheryl Berezan winning the all-around competition with her 37.050. As a team, ISU tumbled along, staying close the entire meet.
In the uneven bar competition, the Redbirds pulled ahead with a 47.725 to Bowling Green's 46.750. After sitting out last meet, Whitney Albright tied her career best bar routine at 9.675. This was the only event Albright was able to compete in due to her recovering sprained ankle. Freshman, Mary Hankosky and sophomore Berezan added 9.575's each.
"I was thrilled for Whitney after she hit such a great routine," said Conkling. "It says a lot about an athlete when they can rebound from injury with an amazing performance."
High vault was a 9.700, stuck by freshman, Meaghan Koshman. Berezan landed the next highest vault of 9.400.
Senior Amy Biedenharn led the beam line-up with her 9.450 score. Just behind her was Koshman, 9.300 and senior, Megan Goetting with her 9.250.
Not as much balance took place on the beam as Conlking would have liked.
"We had three scores falling below nine on the beam, so obviously that is going to hurt us," said Conkling. "The routines that did stay above nine were great. I would have liked to have seen a few higher scores on this event because I think the girls performed better than some of their scores, but that's just the way it goes."
On the floor, which was a high scoring event for ISU during their last meet against Southeast Missouri State (48.225), the team carded a 47.375, led by Tove Fjordholms' 9.625. Berezan added a 9.575 and Biedenharn a 9.550, which were the next highest scores on this event. ISU's floor routines fell shy to Bowling Green's by just .300.
ISU will return from Bowling Green ready to take on the Fighting Illini February 4.
"My team was fighting numerous injuries during this meet," said Conkling. "I look forward to coming out against Illinois healthy, consistent and well-rested."
