NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's gymnastics team is hitting the road to compete in a tri-meet with Southeastern Conference (SEC) - opponent Arkansas and conference rival Southeast Missouri Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., in Fayeteville, Ark.
Head coach Bob Conkling is looking forward to this weekend's tough competition.
"We are always excited to compete against any team from the SEC," Conkling said. "Arkansas, along with SEMO, will be a stiff competition for us, so our goal is to focus on what we can do to perform our best routines."
Illinois State and Southeast Missouri first met in the season-opener on Jan. 11 in Houck Field House, where the Redhawks took the win over the Redbirds 193.275-186.650.
The Redbirds are coming off a second loss against the Redhawks on Feb. 6 in Horton Field House, but ISU scored a season-high score 192.625-191.575. Sophomore Danci Cha scored a career-best score of 9.825 to take first place in the floor competition, while junior Amanda Mohler won both the uneven bars competition and the balance beam competition with season-high score of 9.850 and 9.825 respectively. Sophomore Kristyn Bossle led the Redbirds in the vault competition, placing second with a score of 9.825.
The Arkansas gymnastics team faced co-defending champion of the SEC, and second-ranked Florida last weekend in Barnhill Arena. Florida beat Arkansas 197.200-195.375. Junior Sydnie Dillard and freshman Paige Zaziski each captured their first event titles of 2015, splitting the balance beam title, as each gymnast recorded a team-best in the event this season with a 9.875. Zaziski also captured the uneven bars title with a 9.850 and set a pair of career highs against the Gators by collecting a 9.925 on the vault and a 9.875 on the beam. Arkansas currently ranks No. 8 in the SEC.
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