Final Stats in PDF Format 
Jan. 30, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State gymnastics team fell to No. 24 University of Denver (194.400-193.925) despite a season-high team score Sunday at Horton Field House. Senior Erica Schick led the Redbirds with a second place finish in the all-around competition scoring a season-best 38.875.
The Pioneers started the meet off strong topping the Redbirds first rotation (48.725-48.350). Denver kept its lead the entire meet despite ISU's best efforts. During the fourth and final rotation the Redbirds closed the gap with high scores on the floor exercise, but it wasn't enough to oust the Pioneers.
Head coach Bob Conkling is proud of the gymnast's performance against a nationally-ranked opponent.
"I thought the girls did really, really well," Conkling said. "They really stepped up and I am very proud of them."
Freshman Jenna Bossle led the Redbirds on the vault with a career-high score of 9.775, well enough for a third place finish. Schick placed second on the uneven bars with a season-high score of 9.825 and first on the floor exercise with a score of 9.850. Senior Hannah Deutsch (9.800) and junior Melissa Mann (9.725) placed first and second on the balance beam, respectively.
"We always seem to rise in big meets," Conkling said. "This is one of the biggest school's we've had come here and I think the girls were pumped and they did really well."
The Redbirds will travel to Muncie, Ind. Friday Feb. 2, to take on Ball State at 7 p.m CT.
"Ball State has been scoring well, so I'm interested to see how our girls do, they have a really good coach so it should be a good competition," Conkling said.
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