NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's gymnastics team will host its fifth annual Illinois vs. Michigan Classic on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. inside Horton Field House.
Illinois State will compete with Illinois-Chicago, while Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan will team up. The scores will be added to declare a winning state. Head coach Bob Conkling expects a competitive battle between the states and four teams.
"I expect this weekend's meet to be a good competition, with the winner proving to be the state that is most consistent at their routines," Conkling said. "Both UIC and ISU have struggled with some injuries, but the gymnasts have worked really hard this week in workouts and I am confident that this will be the meet where everything pulls through for them.
"I anticipate this meet to be our best meet of the season."
The Redbirds are coming off a 191.375-188.600 loss against the Flames last weekend inside the UIC Pavilion. Amanda Mohler contributed a score of 9.775 and Sami King contributed a score of 9.750 placing first and second, carrying the Redbirds with a season-high team score of 47.225 in the balance beam competition.
Central Michigan topped Ball State, 196.175-193.775, in a Mid-American Conference meet at the Cardinals' Irving Gym last weekend. The win was CMU's third straight. The Chippewas are 4-1, 3-1 in the MAC.
Eastern Michigan recorded its highest team score in 11 years, tallying season highs in every rotation in a 195.250-192.425 victory over Bowling Green State in a Mid-American Conference dual last weekend at the Convocation Center. The last time EMU broke the 195-point barrier was in 2004.
After the meet, along with an autograph session, an alumni gymnastics reunion will take place for a Redbird 4 Life special event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Legends Room inside Redbird Arena.
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