March 10, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team (8-3) will return home Tuesday, March 11, to host in-state rival Illinois-Chicago (1-10). The competition is the final home meet for the Redbirds. The first routines are set to begin at 7 p.m. inside Horton Field House.
The Redbirds competed Saturday at the Eagle Invitational (Ypsilanti, Mich.), which was hosted by Eastern Michigan. The `Birds finished third out-of-four teams with a total score of 190.625. The gymnasts finished fourth on the balance beam and on the floor routine.
Head coach Bob Conkling feels that his team will be able to learn from Saturday's meet and be ready to compete tomorrow.
"The gymnasts are capable of doing well in all of the events," said Conkling. "If they are able to put together a full and flawless meet without having to count falls, then we should do well. The meet is also at home, and we have been consistent at home this season."
Senior co-captain Amanda Candler was the only gymnast to win an event at the Eagle Invitational. She tied for first on the uneven bars with a 9.700. Freshman Erica Schick tied for third on the event with a 9.650.
Junior co-captain Meaghan Koshman only competed on the vault. She finished third with a 9.775.
Freshman Hannah Deutsch placed second on the balance beam with a score of 9.800. Sophomore Lisa Mulchek finished eighth, and freshman Robin Weissman was 10th with scores of 9.575 and 9.500, respectively.
Candler was the only Redbird to finish in the top-10 on the floor routine. She finished eighth with a 9.700.
Illinois State's three seniors Candler, Cheryl Berezan and Shanelle Richardson will be honored at the conclusion of the meet.
