March 8, 2006
Normal, Ill. -
Traveling to Ypsilanti, Mich., the Illinois State gymnastics team (4-7) will take on Eastern Michigan and the University of Rhode Island on Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern Michigan and the University of Rhode Island bring stiff competition based on their past scores. Eastern Michigan stands 6-6 while University of Rhode Island is currently 1-6.
Saturday's meet follows the `Birds last showing at Illinois-Chicago where they scored an overall season-best score of 191.650. Redbird head coach, Bob Conkling does not feel jinxed by his team's previous high score, because he knows scores fluctuate.
"You can never totally go solely on a teams performance by their score," said Conkling. "Reputation takes a part in scoring, as well as performance. I have definitely seen scores vary because our two best team performances were against Western Michigan, which was a 188.750, and UIC, where they scored their high 191.650.
With only two meets left for the Redbirds, the State of Illinois meet and the Midwest Independent Championships, the Redbirds are beginning to feel the end of their season nearing. Stand-out all-around gymnast, Cheryl Berezan, has set the bar high for herself during the last meet as she achieved a 9.8 personal best on the balance beam and 38. 525 in all-around, another personal best.
"Saturday will come down to the girls performing their best routines," said Conkling. "Cheryl has outdone herself, breaking her personal beam record and her personal all-around score. But the exciting thing is she can do even better. She is such a talented gymnast. I know what Cheryl and the rest of the team is capable of so I'd like to see that this weekend. But, more than anything, I'd like to see them hit their routines."
