Feb. 23, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
After a season-high overall score (192.425) last weekend in Denton, Texas to prevail over Illinois-Chicago (3-10), the Illinois State gymnastics team (5-5) will meet the Flames for the third time this season. The dual meet, held at the Physical Education Building in Chicago, Ill., will begin Sunday at 2 p.m.
With a 2-0 record against UIC, ISU will hope to highlight this Sunday with another series of high scores. In the previous two gatherings, Illinois State has taken the high score on each event except for vault. This week, the Redbirds will prepare themselves to hit each event to capture the win. On Jan. 19, the `Birds defeated the Flames 191.100-189.550 and followed it up with a score of 192.425-189.400 for another win on Feb. 17.
Head coach Bob Conkling feels his gymnasts are aching to keep their winning streak alive.
"The girls' consistency has gotten better in the past few meets," Conkling said. "They have tasted the success and want it even more now."
The two teams will convene a total of five times during the 2007 season. The final two meetings will be both the State Meet and Midwest Independent Conference Championships.
"We have always battled with Illinois-Chicago throughout history," Conkling said. "Our practices have gone really well. We have hit our bar and beam routines. To win, we will need to be consistent, build on that and make fewer deductions."
