Redbird Gymnasts Set To Open 2018 Season at Central Michigan

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State gymnastics team will begin the 2018 season at Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Saturday, Jan. 6, beginning at 1 p.m. 

Head Coach Bob Conkling, who enters his 13th season leading the Redbird gymnastics program, expressed his excitement for his team's season opener.

"The coaching staff and team are looking forward to the start of our 2018 competition season this Saturday against Central Michigan," Conkling said. "Central Michigan was ranked No. 25 in the country last season and is always a consistent and strong team. They are a perfect team to begin our season with, and will give us a good idea of where we are and what we need to do to improve on for the rest of the season."

Central Michigan was picked to finish atop the Mid-American Conference in the preseason poll. The Chippewas finished third in the MAC regular-season standings and at the MAC Championships in 2017.

The Redbirds also finished third at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships in 2017. The ISU roster includes 14 returning student-athletes, with six incoming freshmen in 2018. 

Sophomore Gabi Cooke will compete in all four events, following a tremendous freshman campaign. Cooke finished 17th at the NCAA Regional on the floor, after she earned First-Team All-Midwest Independent Conference honors on the floor and vault, with a conference title-winning effort on the floor. The Chicago native also earned Second-Team All-MIC plaudits, after finishing fourth in the all-around competition with a total of 38.875.  

Junior Meredith LaRoche looks set to score high on vault, following her solid sophomore season in 2017. LaRoche placed third in the all-around competition at the MIC Championships, just ahead of Cooke, with a score of 39.050 to earn First-Team All-MIC honors.

Senior Katherine Locher will compete on uneven bars and looks to make a big impact in her final season with the Redbirds, as does fellow senior Kylie Meyer, who is back from injury this season and should be a standout competitor on balance beam. True freshman Cammie Topp will attempt to make an immediate impact for the program as LaRoche and Cooke have the past two seasons, and hopes to score high marks on floor with her powerful tumbling. 

Live stats will be available on cmuchippewas.com.

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