Feb. 16, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
After a week off from competition, the Illinois State gymnastics team (3-4) is heading south to compete in a quadrangular meet against rivals Illinois-Chicago (3-7), Texas Woman's (6-4) and for the first time this season, Boise State (2-7). Head coach Bob Conkling believes the off-week has helped rest some of the injuries that have been nagging the Redbirds since the beginning of the season.
"We have been able to get in more routines this week and some good workouts," Conkling said. "The week off has helped with injuries and everyone seems a little more healthy and ready to compete."
Besides the positive benefits of having a week to prepare, the gymnasts will begin Saturday's meet on the floor event, where much of their strength lies.
"The girls are excited because they have been hitting their floor routines," Conkling said. "These girls know how to dance and their choreography and music is a lot different from other universities."
Carolina Posada and Tove Fjordholm have been consistently hitting their floor routines and have scored well in the Redbird's last four competitions. Amanda Candler and Mary Hankosky are slated to bring their flawless bar swinging abilities back after numerous high scores for the pair. With Meaghan Koshman on vault and Anne Fjordholm on the balance beam, Conkling believes as long as the girls hit their routines, each team will be competing at the same level this weekend.
"This weekend's competition will be fun because each team has been scoring well lately. It comes down to hitting and if we do that this weekend, we could be first place on each event," Conkling said.
The Redbirds will face their competition on Saturday at the Kitty Magee Arena in Denton, Texas.
