Feb. 28, 2007
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NORMAL, Ill. - Although five Redbird gymnasts placed in the top three slots in each event, the Illinois State gymnastics team could not take back any of the mistakes that occurred Wednesday evening. Amanda Candler's (9.725) first place finish on the uneven bars and a second place finish for Meaghan Koshman (9.775) on the vault did not sway Eastern Michigan's score of 192.950 against ISU's 190.300.
Head coach Bob Conkling believes the gymnasts had a good showing but the falls on some events held them back from taking the win.
"The girls did a good job with their score of 190," said Conkling. "But they had four falls during the night and that counts for two points."
Prior to the starting time of Wednesday night's dual meet against the Eagles, senior co-captain Anne Fjordholm had to be replaced on beam due to a bruised arch of her foot. Sophomore Mary Hankosky was also replaced on bars and vault due to a still-to-be determined leg injury.
"Those two girls' scores would have really jumped up our scores on those three events," Conkling said.
Other Redbird gymnasts displayed good performances during the evening. Lisa Mulchek pulled out another high scoring beam routine receiving a 9.675 and a third place finish. On the floor exercise, Tove Fjordholm claimed a tie for second place (9.675) while Jessica Prousa carded a 9.600 career-best score. Whitney Albright took third in the all-around for the evening scoring a 38.125.
Koshman posted a 9.600 bar routine and added a new career best for the sophomore. Shanelle Richardson, who had her Redbird debut last week at Illinois-Chicago, carded a 9.000 on vault while Abby Chovanec received a season-best 9.175 on her bar routine.
Conkling feels there is more to look forward to on this team and full set routines during practice will help.
"The girls are right on the verge of being a great team but it will not happen until they hit their routines," Conkling said. "The freshmen are doing really well and are hitting their routines. Abby stepped up tonight and hit her bar routine. Andrea Orris and Lisa also hit, which was great."
ISU will host their last home meet Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m. in Horton Field House against Illinois and Wisconsin- LaCrosse. It will also be a senior celebration night for Whitney Albright, Anne Fjordholm, Tove Fjordholm and Carolina Posada.
