Jan. 23, 2009
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team (1-2) performed its best on vault Friday night to post a come-from-behind victory, and defeat Bowling Green (1-2) 191.675-190.800, in Horton Field House. The meet marked the first win of the season for the Redbirds.
Head coach Bob Conkling thought his team accomplished what they set out do in beating Bowling Green. The gymnasts worked hard in practice all week to stick their routines.
"I feel great about our first win," said Conkling. "The girls made a few mistakes, but nothing that can't be fixed in practice. Performance and difficulty-wise we are right in there with our opponents. We just really need to stick our routines. I don't want to harp on that, but the big scores are what are going to get us to regionals as a team."
Illinois State started the evening off strong with its vault performance. The team scored a season high of 48.425 and took the lead after the first round. Senior Meaghan Koshman took first in the event with a 9.850.
The Redbirds struggled on the uneven bars and fell behind Bowling Green at the end of the event. Sophomores Erica Schick and Robin Weissman took second and third place on the bars for the Redbirds with a 9.725 and a 9.700, respectively.
The gymnasts picked up momentum going into the balance beam and beat the Falcons 47.850-47.125. Freshman Melissa Mann won the event with a 9.750, while Schick took second with a 9.675.
Going into the last event, the floor exercise, the Redbirds trailed, 143.675-143.650. Junior Jessica Prousa stepped-up for the `Birds and marked a first-place finish with a 9.750. Sophomore Emily Matko tied with Bowling Green's Dawn Chirstman for second place with a 9.675.
"We had our best vault line-up of the season so far," said Conkling. "That was a great feeling to start the meet like that. We had a few mistakes on bars, but otherwise that could have been a huge score for us. I thought we did okay on beam, and our floor routines looked a little tired. Overall, I am very pleased with how the girls performed tonight against Bowling Green."
In the all-around, Weissman placed first with a 38.675 setting a career-best for the sophomore. Schick was close behind with a 38.525, which claimed a second- place finish.
Illinois State travels to Sacramento, Calif., Friday Jan. 30 to take on the Sacramento State Hornets. The meet is set to begin at 9 p.m. CST.
