NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State fans are encouraged to "Pack the House" and set a gymnastics attendance record Friday, Feb. 20, inside Horton Field House, as the Redbird gymnasts return home to face Air Force Academy at 7 p.m.
Head coach Bob Conkling is looking forward to facing a tough opponent at home.
"We are excited to host Air Force Academy," Conkling said. "Air Force has been consistent in their last four competitions, so we expect a strong competition Friday. A few of our gymnasts are coming back from injuries, which will give us a little more depth."
ISU scored a season-best of 192.025 to finish second last weekend at Arkansas in a tri-meet with Southeast Missouri State. Junior Amanda Mohler was named Midwest Independent Conference (MIC) Specialist of the Week in her performance on the balance beam with a score of 9.850 to win the competition. Individual leaders for ISU also included Kristyn Bossle on vault with a score of 9.825 and Samantha Ward on the uneven bars with a score of 9.725 and a 9.600 on the floor, respectively. The two schools last competed against each other in 2010, when the Redbirds defeated the Falcons 190.925-185.150, placing first and third, respectively, at the quadrangular meet in Normal.
The Falcons are coming off of a win last weekend against SUNY Cortland 191.500-187.525. Jessica Wallander tallied scores of 9.750 on all three of her events, winning the uneven bars, tying for first on the vault with Jamie Lewis and sharing the floor exercise title with Alexandra Stych. Kim McRobbie and Lindsay Ebel contributed to the team, as they placed first on the balance beam with matching scores of 9.700.
All Reggie's Kids Club members are invited to attend a pre-game event at Horton Field House prior to Friday's competition. The pre-game event will feature a Reggie Redbird Spirit Sign that kids will be able to use during the gymnastics meet to cheer on the gymnasts. Be one of the first 100 kids club members to RSVP by Thursday to Andrew Evans, Graduate Assistant for Marketing at 309-438-3399 or aevans2@ilstu.edu and your child(ren) will receive a Papa John's lunch bag and a slice Papa John's pizza.
As always, admission is free for the whole family and the gymnasts will host an autograph session following the meet. The meet will be streamed live on GoRedbirds.com.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.ÂÂÂÂ
