Redbirds Fall In Home Opener To Eastern Michigan

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State gymnastics competed in front a great crowd of home fans for the first time this season on Friday night, when the ISU hosted Eastern Michigan inside Horton Field House. The Redbirds led early, but the Eagles rallied in the final two rotations to come from behind for a 193.950-192.650 win on the road.

Scoring Breakdown:
•    Vault: Illinois State 48.725, Eastern Michigan 48.025
•    Bars: Eastern Michigan 48.575, Illinois State 48.475
•    Beam: Eastern Michigan 48.725, Illinois State 47.100
•    Floor: Eastern Michigan 48.625, Illinois State 48.350

Thoughts from Coach Bob Conkling:
"I thought we started off on vault really strong and bars was solid. Our beam score was so good last weekend and I really thought we were going to hit tonight, but we just could execute and that proved to be the clincher of the meet with all the falls on beam. I thought we finished clean on floor but overall, you don't deserve to win when you can't hit on each event. This team is going to learn that and the success will come, but we need to get back to work and clean things up."

Team Notes:
•    ISU started strong with its highest team score of the season yet on vault with a 48.725 to take an early lead.
•    On bars, the Redbirds posted a 48.475 to maintain the advantage heading into the third rotation on beam.
•    That's where things went sideways, as ISU could not replicate its success from a week ago at Michigan State and took a 47.100 with several falls.
•    The Redbirds rallied on floor with a solid 48.350 but could not overcome the deficit as the Eagles secured the win after a strong performance on beam to close things out.

Gymnast Notes:
•    For the second week in a row, MIC Gymnast of the Week Angelica Labat took home the all-around title with a score of 38.425 … a second-place finish on bars (9.775) and a fourth-place finish on beam (9.750) helped push her to the win.
•    The Redbirds took the top four spots on vault, with Charlise Doctor, Alana Laster and Jaye Mack each tying for win with a score of 9.775 as J'Chelle Heard took fourth with a 9.750.
•    Sofia Iribarren was steady as ever on bars, winning the event with the best individual score of the night for the Redbirds with a 9.850.
•    Mack continued her strong night by tying for the event win on floor with a 9.800 … Kaitlyn Donovan also put together a solid routine, as she tied for fourth place with a 9.725.

Up Next:
Illinois State hits the road next Sunday, January 30, for a tri-meet with Ball State and Central Michigan in Muncie, Indiana.  

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