Showdown of Top MIC Programs Awaits Illinois State At Lindenwood

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – For the first time this season, two of the top programs in the Midwest Independent Conference will square off when Illinois State travels to St. Charles, Missouri, for a dual meet with Lindenwood on Sunday.

SETTING THE SCENE
The meet will be the first of two dual meets between the Redbirds and Lions, with the second coming in the regular-season finale for both teams on March 16 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Sunday's meet is set for Noon CT at Robert F. Hyland Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

THOUGHTS FROM ISU HEAD COACH BOB CONKLING
"With us and Lindenwood being ranked one and two in the conference, this could be a close competition. This one could come down to the very last routine for both teams.  The team is up for the challenge and are willing to fight through to the last routine."

SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS
•    ISU currently ranks No. 34 in the country as a team in the latest Road To Nationals rankings and sit at No. 29 in the national beam rankings and No. 31 on the floor.
•    The Redbirds are 6-2 head-to-head in 2024 and are coming off a 195.600-194.475 defeat of Southeast Missouri State their last time out on January 31 at CEFCU Arena.
•    Through three rotations the score was tied between the Redbirds and Redhawks, however ISU finished strong on floor in the final rotation to come away with the victory.
•    Angelica Labat (beam), Jaye Mack (vault), Sara Wabi (bars) and Alana Laster (floor) were all event winners for the Redbirds, who posted the 10th best score in school history and have now posted 7 of the top 11 scores all-time in the last 11 meets.
•    For the second week in a row, Labat was voted the MIC Gymnast of the Week following her strong performance against SEMO. 

SCOUTING THE LIONS
•    Lindenwood ranks No. 41 in the latest Road To Nationals rankings, thanks to a No. 29 ranking on bars and a No. 35 ranking on floor.
•    The Lions are 7-2 head-to-head so far in 2024 and picked up two wins last Sunday after defeating Simpson College and Centenary College by scores of 194.825-186.075 and 194.825-187.950, respectively.
•    Lindenwood had the highest individual score in all four events, including two first-place finishes by Gayla Griswold.
•    Hannah Appleget was the high scorer with an all-around score of 39.075 which marked a season high. Appleget also managed to set an all-time high score of 9.900 on the bars. 

FOLLOW US
For all latest on Illinois State gymnastics, stay tuned to Goredbirds.com and follow the team on Instagram (@redbirdgymnastics), on X (@redbirdwgym) and Facebook.

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