Redbird Gymnasts Opens 2020 Season Against New Hampshire

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State gymnastics team fought through some tough setbacks and got a stellar performance from freshman Angelica Labat in the 2020 season opener against New Hampshire on Saturday evening inside historic Horton Field House, as UNH defeated ISU 193.400-189.050.

Scoring Breakdown:
•    Vault: UNH 48.525, ISU 46.975
•    Bars: UNH 48.200, ISU 47.675
•    Beam: UNH 48.350, ISU 47.525
•    Floor: UNH 48.325, ISU 46.875

Thoughts from Coach Bob Conkling:
"We knew coming in that we were shorthanded because of some injuries and soreness and knew we were going to have to push through. Throwing competitors in at the last minute and them stepping up and doing what they needed to do was encouraging to see. We are not happy right now with where we are at, but with having people come back from injuries I think this is going to end up being a really good year for us." 

Team Notes:
•    ISU struggled on vault during the first rotation and fell behind early as the UNH posted a 48.525.
•    The Redbirds rebounded in rotation No. 2 on bars with a pair of scores over 9.725 to narrow the UNH lead halfway through the meet.
•    Illinois State stayed behind during the third rotation on beam with only one gymnast posting a 9.750.
•    ISU fought back during the last rotation on floor, with three gymnasts having scores over 9.700.

Gymnast Notes:
•    Freshman Angelica Labat took the All-Around lead after the second rotation, when she posted a 9.775 on bars, and never looked back as she won the All-Around in her first collegiate meet with a total score of 38.850.
•    Labat earned a score of 9.775 to place first on bars, was second on beam with a 9.750 and tied for third on floor with a 9.700.
•    Sofia Iribarren also had a solid meet, earning a career-best score of 9.775 to place second on floor and was third on bars with a score of 9.725.
•    Senior Alyssa Wiggle posted a score of 9.700 to place third on floor and tied for fourth on bars with a 9.650.

Up Next: 
•    The Redbirds compete next at Michigan State in a tri-meet with Central Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. 

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