Feb. 15, 2006
Normal, Ill. -
After having one weekend competition-free, the Illinois State gymnastics team will travel to Southeast Missouri State on Friday, to face the Redhawks for the third time this season. In the teams' first meeting, ISU fell to Southeast Missouri State, with scores 185.200 to 181.525, but in their next contest the `Birds came from behind in their final event, the floor exercise, to win the meet, 189.425 to 188.425.
Although junior twins, Tove and Anne Fjordholm will be absent from this meet due to a family emergency and freshman Mary Hankosky, will be sitting out this meet due to injury, Redbird head coach Bob Conkling believes his team can do well with good execution.
"It will be tough having a few key players out," said Conkling. "Mary has been doing very well on vault and bars, Anne will be extremely missed on beam and Tove's consistent scores on floor are irreplaceable. It's going to be tough working these adjustments into the line-up, but I know we will do the best we can with these athletes missing."
Although struggling with injuries in the past, the `Birds used their meet-free weekend to rest and recover.
"We are coming off a recovery week," said Conkling. "I think this is important because they will be fresh. My goal for this meet is to go 4 for 4 and perform to our capabilities. With a few key players out, others will step in and I think we can still do well."
ISU carded its best vault score in the last meet at Illinois, with a team score of 47.625. Team balance beam scores for the season were also at a high last meet, 47.325.
With the Fjordholms and Hankosky absent this meet, Conkling will be looking to the second set of team sisters, senior co-captain Lauren Strnad and sophomore Kara Strnad to help out with beam and floor.
"The Strnad sisters will be a great asset to our scores this meet," said Conkling. "Lauren is a very consistent beam worker and I have confidence that Kara will help out a great deal with whatever event we decide to compete her on."
Conkling looks forward to the challenge that lies at Southeast Missouri, as he expects his seniors to provide team leadership.
"I need to see solid performances from our seniors," said Conkling. "They have been here the longest and I need that calm experience because that will be important this meet."
