Feb. 28, 2009
CHICAGO -
The Illinois State gymnastics team performed well on three of the four events, but fell behind Illinois-Chicago on the uneven bars. In their second consecutive meet against UIC, the Redbirds fell to the Flames 194.100-192.325.
The Redbirds struggled on their first event of the evening, the uneven bars. Illinois State tallied a team total of 47.075, their lowest score of the competition. Sophomore Erica Schick was the only 'Bird to place in the top-five with a score of 9.675.
Illinois State picked up momentum during their vault set with a 48.000. Senior Meaghan Koshman placed second in the event with a 9.800, while Schick placed fourth with a 9.650.
The gymnasts continued to improve throughout the competition. On the third event, the floor routine, Illinois State scored its highest score of the night a 48.825. Schick and Koshman tied for third with a 9.850, marking a season-high for both gymnasts.
In the last event of the evening, the balance beam, ISU outscored the Flames for the first time of the competition, 48.425-48.175. The Redbirds had two top-four finishes with freshman Melissa Mann capturing second place with her 9.775, and sophomore Hannah Deutsch placing fourth with a 9.725.
Schick, the only all-around gymnast for the Redbirds, placed second overall with a 38.875. She was beat by UIC's Annie Kachman who tallied a 39.000.
Illinois State will travel to Norman, Okla., March 6 to take on host Oklahoma State, Midwest Independent Conference foe Texas Women's University, and Ball State. The meet is set to begin at 7 p.m. CST.
