Jan. 13, 2008
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State gymnastics team hosted their season opener on Sunday evening, and defeated visiting Central Michigan, 191.550-186.125, in a non-conference meet at Horton Field House.
Placing at the top of each event, the Redbirds appeared to be a much-improved team from 2007. Last season, the `Birds scored 181.400 points, losing to CMU's 191.075 tally. Head coach Bob Conkling felt that the Redbirds' work ethic in the offseason was on display in the opening meet.
"I could not be more pleased with this team," said Conkling. I thought they did an outstanding job tonight, and I was very pleased with the girls on the (uneven) bars tonight. They looked good."
The Redbirds finished their uneven bar set with a score of 48.450. Senior Amanda Candler won the event and tied her career best score with a 9.800. Junior co-captain Meaghan Koshman tied for second with a 9.750, but stuck a 9.850 on her vault routine, tying her career-best in the event.
The gymnasts did an excellent job on the uneven bars, but lost momentum when it was their turn to compete on the balance beam. The `Birds scored a 47.325 on the balance beam, their lowest score of the evening. Conkling feels the team needs to work on their transition from the uneven bars to the balance beam.
"For Friday, we need to work on our transitions," said Conkling. "Tonight we were not as comfortable on the (balance) beam. We need to figure out a way to be aggressive on the beam, but also to stay calm during our routines."
The Redbirds scored a 47.900 on the vault and a 47.875 on the floor. Senior co-captain Candler thought tonight was an amazing start to the season.
"We have never had a team start off this well," said Candler. "We were positive, confident, and mentally ready for tonight. We need to make a few corrections for Friday, but overall we did amazing."
Koshman won the all-around, and captured the vault and floor routines. ISU gymnasts won all four of the events to capture the win. The Redbirds fishished in the top-three positions on the floor, making it their strongest area.
Koshman won the vault and the floor routines, while Candler won the bars, and freshman Hannah Deutsch won the balance beam.
The `Birds will travel to Muncie, Ind. on Friday Jan. 18, 2008 to compete against the Ball State Cardinals. The meet is set to begin at 6 p.m.
