Feb. 25, 2007
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CHICAGO - Despite the win-loss record of 2-0 going into the meet against Illinois-Chicago, the Illinois State gymnastics team chalked its first loss to the Flames (195.300-189.450). Still, the Redbirds kept their spirits high and also managed to get through the afternoon competition without junior Amanda Candler. Candler, a top bar swinger for the `Birds, fell ill before traveling to Chicago Sunday morning.
Head coach Bob Conkling believes having Candler out did hurt the `Birds in certain events.
"Amanda being sick did hurt us, there's no doubt about that," Conkling said. "She has a strong vault score and she's our top scorer on bars. It would have helped having her at the meet."
However, other performance highlights of the afternoon did not go unnoticed.
Sophomore Meaghan Koshman, who has also been struggling with illnesses, was able to come in and perform after being sick for the last few weeks. The all-arounder performed her uneven bar set with a 9.575, a personal-best for the season. She also contributed a first place tie score of 9.800 on vault to boost the team's top event score of the day (47.650).
"The highlight of the meet was Koshman hitting her bar routine," Conkling said. "She has been doing it in the gym and it doesn't surprise me. She has come off being really sick the last few days and having her strong on two events, I am really pleased with that."
Freshman Lisa Mulchek had another good showing as she carded a personal-best balance beam routine of 9.700, placing her fourth overall on the event. Her floor routine score of 9.350 also served as a personal-best for the season.
"There is a reason Lisa has been our lead-off on beam: she hits. She's solid and I am glad to see her get a good score," Conkling said.
A score of 9.500 was posted on vault by Mary Hankosky and serves as personal-best for the sophomore. Whitney Albright also achieved a third place finish in the all-around with a 37.850.
Redbird gymnastics will continue to look for a win as they host Eastern Michigan Wednesday, February 28 at 7 p.m. in Horton Field House.
