March 13, 2007
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CAPE GIRARDEU, Mo. - Freshmen Lisa Mulchek and Jessica Prousa are no strangers to competition in the Illinois State gymnastics 2007 campaign. The pair showed how well they were able to perform when the `Birds needed them the most on Tuesday evening. Attributing to a win on the balance beam, Prousa and Mulchek placed first and second with scores of 9.875 and 9.800, respectively. However, ISU fell short with an overall score of 190.600 to Southeast Missouri State's 192.400.
It was an interesting night due to Whitney Albright's absence in the all-around, this being the first night she has not competed in each event since the first meet. The senior was only able to compete on vault and bars. Amanda Candler was unable to compete on vault and floor due to an injury, but was able to complete her bar routine with a score of 9.725. Meaghan Koshman was also hurting but still competed in the all-around.
Head coach Bob Conkling was pleased with how with how well the gymnasts performed and the scores they received, especially due to the night's unexpected events.
"I thought they did a really good job holding together as a team and did really well with the limited lineup," Conkling said. "We only competed five vaulters and people stepped up when they needed to and did what they needed to do."
In each event, ISU had a competitor place in the top three slots against SEMO. Koshman's 9.750 landed her first place on vault. Candler and Mary Hankosky shared third place honors scoring a 9.725 on their uneven bar routine; a mark Hankosky has met four times this season. On the floor exercise, Carolina Posada placed first with her season-high floor routine of 9.775. Tove Fjordholm also placed in a four-way tie with a floor routine score of 9.700.
Many Redbird season-high scores were also accomplished during the meet. Along with Mulchek's beam routine, the freshman stepped in for Albright and carded another season high with her floor routine exercise (9.575). Prousa also posted a season-high with her balance beam routine. Tove Fjordholm stepped in to perform on the balance beam for Albright and recorded a 9.625 which is a season-high for the senior. Koshman's 9.625 upped her career-best score to a 9.625 on the uneven bars.
The ISU gymnastics team will travel to DeKalb, Ill. for the State of Illinois Meet on March 25. ISU, Illinois, Northern Illinois and Illinois-Chicago are set to begin competition at 2 p.m.
