Feb. 22, 2009
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team (6-7) performed its best on floor Sunday afternoon to post a victory and defeat UW- La Crosse (6-4)193.200-188.975, in Horton Field House. The meet marked the second consecutive win against La Crosse for the Redbirds.
Sophomore Erica Schick had an outstanding night for the Redbirds. She placed first on both the uneven bars and the floor routine with a 9.825 and a 9.850, setting two new career-bests for the gymnast. Schick also set a new season-high on the vault with a score of 9.700.
Head coach Bob Conkling couldn't have been happier with the way Schick performed today against UW-La Crosse.
"Erica had an awesome meet," said Conkling. "She had a bad fall in practice earlier this week, so for her to come out and perform so well was amazing. She really stuck her vault, had a really great bar set, and an awesome floor routine. She has really stepped-up for the team this week."
Illinois State started the afternoon off strong with its vault performance. The team scored a 48.375 and took a big lead outscoring the Eagles 46.075 after one round of events. Senior Meaghan Koshman placed second in the event with a 9.875, a season-high. Schick placed fourth for the `Birds with a 9.700. The vault was the only event the Redbirds did not win.
The gymnasts continued to look strong on the uneven bars. The Redbirds captured the top-three spots with Schick coming in first followed closely by sophomore Stacie Morris and senior Mary Hankosky. As a team, the `Birds scored a 48.000 on the bars.
Going into the third event, the balance beam, the Redbirds had a few minor mistakes. Sophomore Hannah Deutsch won the event with a 9.825, a season-high. Freshman Melissa Mann placed second with a 9.750. Illinois State tallied a 47.900 as a team.
Setting a new season-high on the floor routine, the team won the event with a 48.925. Schick placed first in the event with a 9.850. There was a three-way tie for second place between sophomore Emily Matko, Deutsch, and Koshman. All three gymnasts scored a 9.775 for their floor routine.
In the all-around, Schick placed first with a 39.000, setting yet another career-best.
Conkling couldn't be more pleased with the way student-athletes are stepping up to help out their team.
"This time of the year is when we really need gymnasts to step up," said Conkling. "I have to say something about Andrea Orris performing on floor and Hannah Meyer being able to perform on vault. It's athletes like that that really make a team work. Lisa Mulchek has also stepped-up on beam and has returned to the line-up giving us more depth in that event. I am really proud of the athletes."
Illinois State hosts University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in a Midwest Independent Conference meet.
