March 2, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Horton Field House will not only be the location for the triangular meet between Illinois State (5-7), University of Illinois (4-5) and UW-La Crosse (13-3) but will also be the last home meet of the year for the Redbirds. It will also be the last time performing in Horton Field House for seniors Whitney Albright, Anne Fjordholm, Tove Fjordholm and Carolina Posada. The meet will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Illinois, who is ranked 23rd in the country along with UW-La Crosse, a Division III, six time defending NCGA National Champions, will bring good competition to Normal on Sunday afternoon.
Second year head coach Bob Conkling feels the day's focus will be on handling the balance beam event to be able to compete against Illinois and UW-La Crosse.
"The balance beam is a make or break event," Conkling said. "I am looking forward to this event to be better than Wednesday's showing. Illinois has scores of 193-195.00. We will really need to hit our routines to get that type of score and I think we are capable of beating almost anybody."
Wednesday's meet against Eastern Michigan began rough with injuries for both senior co-captain Anne Fjordholm and sophomore Mary Hankosky. It is still up in the air if Hankosky will compete but Fjordholm hopes to make it back on the balance beam for her last performance in Horton Field House.
Conkling will announce the seniors after the conclusion of the meet and before awards are given.
"Since it is senior day, most of the parents will come and we will recognize all of the seniors' accomplishments in the last four years," said Conkling. "It will be difficult to lose each girl. We are losing a top beam performer, top floor performers and a top all-arounder. It will be a sad day for everyone."
The Redbird gymnasts are looking for a record breaking crowd on Sunday afternoon for their last home meet of the 2007 season.
