Jan. 28, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team will host the nationally ranked No. 24 Denver Pioneers on Sunday, Jan. 30 at Horton Field House at 3 p.m.
Head coach Bob Conkling is excited to see good competition and hopes the team builds on last weekend's season best performance of 192.025.
"I like strong competition, I always have," Conking said. "If you want your team to improve they have to see what it takes to be ranked to see how to get to that level. I think it's going to be a good competition. We have a tendency to rise to the occasion, so I'm looking forward it."
ISU is coming off it's best meet of the year against Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Illinois-Chicago last weekend where they took second place. Sophomore Kim Genereux led the Redbirds in the all-around competition with a career best 38.750. Junior Melissa Mann (9.775) and senior Hannah Deutsch (9.750) took second and third place on the balance beam, respectively. Sophomore Apollonia Barrientos scored a season best on the floor exercise with a score of 9.700 and freshman Jenna Bossle scored a career high 9.700 on the vault.
Conkling is hoping his team steps up and competes well against such a good team.
"We really need to go in with a good attitude and improve upon last week. We need to focus on doing the best we can do and hit all of our events," Conkling said.
The meet will be streamed live online at Redbird All-Access, Illinois State Athletics' internet multimedia platform. Live meet coverage from Horton Field House begins promptly at 2 p.m.
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