March 20, 2010
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State closed the final regular meet of the 2010 season with a 4th place finish in the State of Illinois Classic meet Saturday in Redbird Arena. The meet was led by Illinois (196.650) in first place, followed by Northern Illinois (192.650), Illinois-Chicago (192.475) and ISU (191.975).
Despite the loss, the Redbirds posted strong individual scores. Hannah Detusch led the `Birds in scoring, posting a season-high 9.850 on balance beam and 9.825 on the floor exercise. Melissa Mann scored a 9.825 on the beam. Deutsch and Mann placed first and second place on the balance beam, respectively. Kim Caron posted two career-highs during the meet, on the uneven bars (9.775) and floor exercise (9.825).
Head coach Bob Conkling did not feel the team performed to its full potential tonight.
"The team did not go out there and do what they are capable of," Conkling said. "The student-athletes did not perform as consistent as they have in the past meets this season. They were physically prepared for this meet, but the team just wasn't mentally ready. There is nothing to do now but learn from our mistakes."
The Redbirds began the meet on the vault posting a team score of 48.475, the team was led by Erica Schick who posted a career-best (9.800) and Tori Sarantakis (9.775). ISU struggled on uneven bars due to a couple falls (46.700) but regained themselves on the balance beam (47.875) and floor exercise (48.925).
"I thought a lot of the student-athletes had some great performances tonight," Conkling said. "Melissa, Hannah and Andrea Orris did really well on the balance beam. Overall, the floor exercise team was fantastic. Erica did amazing on the vault and Kim was strong on the bars."
Deutsch and Mann were named to the All-State Team tonight based on their scores on the balance beam.
"We definitely have work to do before regionals," Conkling said. "But I know what this team is capable of and I know we can do it."
The Redbirds return to action for the Midwest Independent Conference Championship meet Saturday, March 27. The meet will be hosted by Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas and is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
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