April 28, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team ended its season with the annual awards banquet Sunday evening. The award winners were voted on by ISU's 15-team members.
Sophomore Erica Schick was voted the team's Most Valuable Gymnast. Schick received the honor for her ability to compete in at least three events in every meet except one. She finished fourth in the conference in the all-around, averaging a 38.548. She also finished second in the conference on the uneven bars with an average score of 9.654, eighth on the balance beam with a score of 9,590, and fifth on the floor exercise with a 9.627. Her highest score on the uneven bars was a 9.850, marking a career-best. She also set a new career-best in the all-around scoring a 39.000, a mark she met twice during the season.
Head coach Bob Conkling thought that Schick did an outstanding job this season and really deserved the award.
"Erica competed most of the season on all four events," said Conkling. "She also made it to NCAA Regionals for the second time in her two-year career as a Redbird. Erica proved to be valuable by being our top-scorer on bars as well as adding high scores in every other event."
The Most Improved Gymnast award went to freshman Hannah Meyer. Meyer competed on the vault in eight meets throughout the season. She set a career-best 9.625 on the vault March 6 at Oklahoma.
"As a freshman, Hannah came back from ankle surgery to make vault line-up this year," said Conkling. "She continued to improve every practice and I am expecting great things from her next season."
The Most Valuable Newcomer award was given to freshman Melissa Mann. Mann competed in every meet except two due to an illness late in the season. Mann placed fourth on the balance beam at the conference meet. She was also selected to the All-Midwest Independent Conference Team. She also set a career-high on the vault Jan. 9 and on the balance beam Feb. 25 scoring a 9.675 and 9.825, respectively.
"Melissa consistently competed for us on the vault and balance beam," said Conkling. "I know that she will only improve during the next three seasons, and will continue to push to make the line-up in all four events."
The Redbird Award was given to the gymnast that set the best example of what it means to be a Redbird gymnast, both in and outside of the gym. The 2009 recipient of the award was senior Meaghan Koshman.
"Koshman really set the example of what it means to be a true Redbird student-athlete throughout her time at Illinois State," said Conkling. "I believe she was the perfect choice for the Redbird Award. Her accomplishments are too numerous to list. Meaghan will be hard to replace, and will be miss not only by the gymnastics team but also by the entire athletic department at Illinois State."
At the conclusion of the banquet, the 2009-2010 captains were announced. Junior Lisa Mulchek and sophomore Robin Weissman will lead the team next year.
"Having Lisa and Robin become co-captains next year is a well deserved honor," said Conkling. "This will be Lisa's second year as co-captain and Robin's first year. I know both of them will do an incredible job leading the team to a very successful 2009-2010 season."
