Jan. 20, 2012
Redbird Gymnasts Host Conference Rival SEMO
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State gymnastics team will host Midwest Independent Conference rival, Southeast Missouri State on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 5 p.m. in historic Horton Field House.
Head coach Bob Conkling hopes the Redbirds will perform to their best abilities against the Redhawks.
"Since I started coaching at Illinois State, SEMO has been one of our biggest rivals," said Conkling. "I really hope that the team can compete to their capabilities this weekend. If the team can do that, I believe it will be a strong competition for us."
Illinois State faced SEMO twice last season. The Redbirds defeated the RedHawks in their first competition, 191.500-190.275, and lost the second meet, 193.775-192.925.
The balance beam has been Illinois State's strongest event the past two weeks, with a team score of 48.450 last week. Junior Tori Sarantakis earned a first-place finish on vault with a score of 9.750 at Ball State. Illinois State freshman Samantha King led the Redbirds placing first in the all-around competition in both meets, followed by Sarantakis. Senior Melissa Mann placed first on balance beam with a score of 9.800 last Sunday.
The Redbirds enter the meet with a 1-1 record, after winning the season opener at home against Ball State, 190.850-186.300, then losing to the Cardinals on the road, 191.625-191.275 the following week.
The gymnasts have been working on strengthening their performance during practice this week.
"We have been focusing on consistency, especially on bars and floor," said Conkling. "We have also focused on getting a few of our athletes healthy and back into line-up."
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