March 29, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. -
Following the 2010 Midwest Independent Conference Championship Saturday, Andrea Orris was named Senior Athlete of the Year and was named to the All-Midwest Independent Conference First Team along with Erica Schick, Kim Genereux and Melissa Mann.
Orris was named Senior Athlete of the Year by the conference for her achievements through the 2010 season. Orris earned three career-bests this season: 9.825 on the uneven bars (3/5 vs. Alaska-Anchorage), 9.800 on the balance beam (2/26 at the Missouri Cat Classic) and a 9.825 on the floor exercise (2/5 vs. Ball State).
Orris has shown great improvement from even her last season. Her regional qualifying score (RQS) improved by 1.6 on the balance beam, .305 on the uneven bars and .3425 on the floor exercise.
Head coach Bob Conkling is extremely proud with Orris' growth.
"I have never seen a bigger change for the better in a student-athlete than I do in Andrea," Conkling said. "She has become a leader on the team and is performing better gymnastics than ever. She has had an amazing season and it's great to see her recognized for that."
Orris was also named to the all-conference team for her performance Saturday on the balance beam. Her score of 9.675 landed her a third place finish. Mann was also named to the all-conference team for her balance beam routine, after placing first in the event with a score of 9.775. Schick placed third in the all around (36.650) and second on the floor exercise (9.800) to secure her spot on the all-conference team and Genereux placed third on the uneven bars with a 9.750 to earn all-MIC honors as well.
"Erica fought through the competition and despite some mistakes, stayed strong throughout the meet," Conkling said. "Kim performed one of her best bar routines of the season; she just keeps getting better. Kim has been training on the vault, so she may be an all around competitor next season. Melissa is the steadiest beam-worker on the team and had a great routine and deserved the win. Andrea changed her beam routine mid-season and it paid off. She and Melissa show the depth the team has on the event."
In the regular-season, ISU finished with the top RQS scores in two events, of all five schools in the conference. The Redbirds placed first on the floor exercise (48.640) and on the balance beam (48.470). The team placed second on the uneven bars with a RQS of 48.435.
"I am proud of each and every one of the student-athletes," Conkling said. "I can only hope their efforts and successes continue throughout next season."
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