Gymnastics Blog #4 | Emily Matko Describes the Redbirds' First Victory

Jan. 26, 2009

- Hey Redbird fans! This is sophomore Emily Matko of the Illinois State Gymnastics team writing about our first season win against the Bowling Green Falcons! It was great to be back at our house in Horton competing in front of our home crowd, and the win was definitely the icing on the cake!

The practices before the meet were tough. Coming from a shaky bar performance the weekend before at Michigan we knew we had our work cut out for us. At practice we focused on consistency. Unlike many other sports, in gymnastics you only get that one chance to show everyone what you're made of. No matter how many times you hit your skills in practice it all comes down to one routine and when nerves set in at competition, all that training can mean nothing if you don't know how to control them. For whatever reason, it is almost impossible to recreate that same competition atmosphere in a practice.

Luckily for us we had Coach Steve (assistant coach Steve Avgerinos) to work with us. At our last practice before the meet he told us that instead of focusing on trying to make practice feel like a competition, try to make the competition feel more like a practice. He reminded us that when we train in the gym we have a good time. We like to crack jokes just like everyone else, dance and sing to our favorite songs(though maybe not as gracefully as you would think), and just enjoy each other's company. When we do that, AND focus on our training, good things happen. So that was our big goal for the meet, and I must say that it was some pretty useful advice!

  Bowling Green Recap |  Watch ISU Defeat Bowling Green | ISU Gymnastics Web site

At the meet we settled in and focused on the task at hand: clean and solid routines. Being at home meant no stressing about adjusting to the "feel" of different equipment. So just like Coach Steve told us, we warmed-up exactly like we would at a regular practice, and just like at practice, warm-ups went great. This really boosted our confidence and helped prepare us for competition. I'd have to say that if our solid warm-up didn't get us pumped up for the meet, then march-out definitely did. Running out to our march-out song blasting through the speakers and looking up and seeing the stands more packed than I ever have in my two years competing here really got my psyched. So many fans came out to support us, and on behalf of the entire gymnastics team, I would like to thank them for their encouragement! We appreciate it more than you know!

First up was vault. I don't mean to brag, ok well actually I do, but ISU has some of the best vaulters in our Conference. We had six vaulters compete, and six hit vaults, you can't ask for much more. Highlighting the event was rock solid senior Meaghan Koshman with a 9.85 to win the event. It is also important that I mention our two exhibition gymnasts; sophomore Katie Witty and the debut of freshman Hannah Meyer. Though their scores don't count towards the team total, exhibition on any event is an important role too. Having girls that can step up and fill in when they are needed, as well as provide a strong performance is key to any team because in gymnastics, injuries are all too common. Both Witty and Meyer hit their vaults as well.

Bars was next. We were on a high from vault, but also a little timid from the last meet. We stepped up and did our best. With two uncharacteristic mistakes from two of our competitors, we had senior co-captain Mary Hankosky, sophomores Erica Schick and Robin Weissman as well as a new addition to the bar line-up junior Andrea Orris, all hit solid bar routines. Special recognition to Andrea for stepping up and hitting a beautiful routine and capping it off with a perfect stick!

Next we moved on to beam. Anyone with even a basic knowledge of gymnastics knows that beam can either make or break your day. At only four inches wide, you have to have your head on straight to compete this event. Our girls did everything we needed them to. We counted no falls towards our team score. Taking second with a 9.625 was Schick and first place went to freshman Melissa Mann with an unrivaled 9.75.

Finally we moved to floor, the crowd's favorite, and boy did we play to the crowd! My favorite moment of the meet was looking up at the FULL student section and seeing the crowd literally jump in the air with every tumbling pass that we hit! It was a great way to end our last event, and again, I'd like to thank the crowd for being so supportive! By the end of floor the Redbirds had taken third, second and first place! Robin Weissman tied for third with a 9.625, Emily Matko tied for second with a 9.65, and junior Jessica Prousa took the win with an unequaled 9.7!

With a combination of determination, teamwork, and amazing support from our coaches, families, and our fans we won the competition! Bowling Green put up a respectable fight scoring a 190.8 but the Redbirds clearly edged them out with a 191.675! Cheer us on next week as we travel all the way to California to compete against Sacramento State and Cal!

Go Redbirds!!!

Emily Matko

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