DURHAM, N.H. – The Illinois State gymnastics team had to travel a long way to compete on Sunday and was faced with stiff competition in the quad meet hosted by New Hampshire. The hosts took advantage of the home meet and came away with the victory, but the Redbirds came in second overall with their second-highest team score of the season of 195.600 to defeat Pitt and Southern Connecticut State at the Whittemore Center.
Scoring Breakdown:
•   New Hampshire - 196.550
•   Illinois State - 195.600
•   Pitt - 194.875
•   Southern Connecticut State - 193.400
Thoughts From Head Coach Bob Conkling:
"This was another strong competition for our team. We started on beam and looked a little nervous, which they should be at this time if the season. The next two events were floor and vault we were lights out, before ending on bards where we gave some deductions away on our landings. Overall, it was a great effort and we can continue to build on the momentum from the past several meets heading into a MIC dual with SEMO on Friday."
Team Notes:
•   The Redbirds got off to a solid start on beam and headed to the second rotation in second place.
•   On floor, ISU put up its best score of the season with a 49.275 which put the Redbirds in second place halfway through the meet.
•   Vault was next for the Redbirds and once again they came to play, as ISU posted the highest score of any of the teams on the event in the meet with a 49.225 which set a season high.
•   The Redbirds capped the meet on bars with a 49.975 to finish with a strong score of 195.600 to finish second overall.
Gymnast Notes:
•   Freshman Nirel Bart-Williams won the all-around with a career-high score of 39.225 … she finished ahead of teammate Alana Laster who was second overall with a 39.150.
•   Her all-around victory was highlighted by her win on vault with a career-best score of 9.900, with Laster right behind in second with a 9.875 and J'Chelle Heard tying for third with a 9.850.
•   Sara Wabi and Angelica Labat tied for second on bars with matching scores of 9.825 to lead the way for ISU.
•   Jaye Mack was at it again on floor after winning MIC Performance of the Week honors a week ago, as she tied for the event win with her second-straight score of 9.925.
Up Next:
The Redbirds travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Friday, March 3, for a MIC matchup with Southeast Missouri State at Houck Fieldhouse at 6:30 p.m.
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