Redbird Gymnasts Improve In Week Two At Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Illinois State gymnastics team bounced back from a tough first meet and improved its scores Saturday afternoon in the second meet of the season, when the Redbirds placed third with a total of 192.850 in tri-meet against Central Michigan (195.675) and Michigan State (195.225) in East Lansing, Mich.

Scoring Breakdown:
•    Central Michigan: 195.675
•    Michigan State: 195.225
•    Illinois State: 192.850

Thoughts from Coach Bob Conkling:
"We did much better in today's competition compared to last week. We had strong performances from Angelica Labat on beam and Sofia Iribarren on bars. Triniti Barron was an exhibition gymnast for us on floor and she did really well. We are very pleased with our overall competition this week and look forward to seeing everyone at Redbird Arena on Friday."

Team Notes:
•    After scoring a 189.050 last week in their first meet of the season due to a slew of injuries and lineup changes, the Redbirds bounced back and bettered their score by over three full points with a 192.850 against Central Michigan and Michigan State.
•    The Redbirds fell behind after the first rotation on beam but had strong performances with four gymnasts posting scores over 9.700.
•    ISU also had a strong competition on bars with four gymnasts posting scores over 9.700, and on floor with two gymnasts scoring over 9.700.

Gymnast Notes:    
•    Labat finished second on beam with a career-high score 9.925 to finish second overall and had a career-high score on vault with a 9.700 … she also tied her career-high on bars with a 9.775 to tie for sixth place overall.
•    Iribarren tied for second on bars with a career-high score 9.875 to give ISU a pair of finishers in the top six in that event.
•    Senior all-conference performer Gabrielle Cooke returned to action after missing the first meet and posted a 9.700 on bars.
•    Freshman Katherine McGowan received a career-high on bars with a score 9.575.

Up Next: 
•    The Redbirds return home next week when they host MIC rival Southeast Missouri State inside Redbird Arena on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.