April 27, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team concluded its season with the annual gymnastics awards banquet Sunday at Biaggi's Restaurant in Bloomington, Ill. Freshman Hannah Deutsch was named the Redbirds' Most Valuable Gymnast. The award winners were voted on by ISU's 15-member team.
Deutsch received the honor for her ability to compete in at least three events in every meet except one. She finished second in the conference on the balance beam routine with an average score of 9.777. Her highest career-mark was on the balance beam with a 9.850. Deutsch's best floor routine score was not far behind. She holds a career-best score of 9.825 on the floor routine. The vault is Deutsch's lowest career-best with a score of 9.750.
Head coach Bob Conkling feels Deutsch was the deserving gymnast for the most valuable gymnast award.
"Hannah has been the most consistent gymnast on the team, as she has contributing to the team in every one of those competitions," said Conkling. "She was the top beam performer and one of the best floor and vault performers this season."
The most improved gymnast award went to freshman Katie Witty. The Chicago native competed in two meets this season.
The newcomer award was given to freshman Erica Schick. Schick competed most of the season in four events and qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the all-around competition. At Regionals, she finished in ninth place in the all-around competition. The Livonia, Mich., native set a career-best in every event. She scored a 9.850 on the floor and balance beam routines. On the vault, she scored a 9.750 and a 9.775 on the uneven bars. The freshman scored a career-best score of 38.825 in the all-around competition.
The Redbird Award is given to the gymnast that sets the best example of what is to be a Redbird Gymnast both in-and-outside of the gym. Senior Cheryl Berezan was this year's recipient.
Conkling believes that Berezan was a worthy winner of this award.
"A year ago, Cheryl had a near-career-ending injury to her foot that did not allow her to compete in the all-around," said Conkling. "This did not stop Cheryl from conditioning and training on the uneven bars. Cheryl set an example for school, nutrition and how to train, even when hurt."
The banquet concluded with the announcement of the 2008-09 season captains. Mary Hankosky and Lisa Mulchek will lead the team during the next season.
