Jan. 18, 2008
Final Stats
MUNCIE, Ind. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team took their routines on the road and cruised past Ball State on Friday evening. In their first away meet, the Redbirds out scored the Cardinals 190.525-187.325. It was the second win for the Redbirds.
Head coach Bob Conkling thought his team accomplished what they set out to do in beating Ball State. The gymnasts worked hard in practice all week to stick their routines, and their hard work paid off with a win.
"I am proud of the team," said Conkling. "I thought the gymnasts handled everything very well. They adjusted well to Ball State's equipment, but we need to work on our consistency on the floor and (balance) beam routines."
Junior co-captain Meaghan Koshman had another outstanding night. She won the all-around event scoring a 37.725. It was her second consecutive week winning the event. Koshman also won the vault (9.825) and scored a 9.800 on the floor routine allowing her to set a career best and tie for second in the event. The Redbirds won the event with a score of 48.125.
"Winning back-to-back all-around events has not happened to Meaghan many times," said Conkling. "I plan to see her winning more all-around events this season. She is an outstanding gymnast and that is really starting to show this season. She is confident in her routines, and she is mentally and physically ready for each meet."
The Redbirds finished their uneven bar set with a score of 48.200. Senior co-captain Amanda Candler took first on the uneven bars (9.725) for a second consecutive week. Freshman Erica Schick and sophomore Jessica Prousa finished second and third in the event.
The gymnasts struggled to stick their floor routines and fell to Ball State in the event with a score of 47.775-48.200. None of the Redbirds finished in the top three on the floor routine. Ball State senior Erica Gilkerson won the event.
Conkling feels that the team needs to build their confidence level up on their floor routines. The team did not compete well on the event for the last two meets.
Freshman Hannah Deutsch led the `Birds on the balance with a score of 9.800. Deutsch tied her career best on the event.
Illinois State will travel to Girardeau, Mo. on Friday Jan. 25, 2008 to compete against the Southeast Missouri University (SEMO) Redhawks. The meet is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.
