Gymnasts Open 2017 Season At Ozone Classic

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State gymnastics team will begin the 2017 season at the Ozone Classic, where it will take on Temple, Centenary and Wisconsin-EAU Claire in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 14, beginning at 8 p.m.

Head Coach Bob Conkling expressed his excitement for his team to be competing in the Ozone Classic this weekend in its season opener. 

"The entire team has been training hard, looking strong and feeling confident for their first meet of the season," Conkling said. "Our goal is to go into the meet doing the same routines that we perform in practice every day."  

The Redbird roster includes 13 returning student-athletes, including five incoming freshmen and a sophomore transfer.

Sophomore Meredith LaRoche and freshman Gabrielle Cooke will both be competing on all four events for the Redbirds to start the season. LaRoche brings strong skills on vault and floor, and had a breakout season in 2016 as a true freshman for ISU. 

Cooke is looking strong on balance beam, along with senior Demi Pas, and will look to start her career on a high note. Freshman Anna Marema and senior Samantha Ward both have a solid uneven bar routine they will debut Saturday night as well.

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