CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – It was a good Friday night for the Illinois State gymnastics team, as the Redbirds led the tri-meet with Southeast Missouri State and Fisk University from start to finish and posted a season-high score of 195.975 to come away with the victory at Houck Field House in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The 195.975 final is the fourth-highest score in program history and bests their previous season high of 195.950 set in the 2024 season opener.
Scoring Breakdown:
• Illinois State: 195.975
• Southeast Missouri State: 193.500
• Fisk: 188.225
Thoughts from Coach Bob Conkling:
"I am extremely proud of the team and how they performed tonight. They were solid on all four events, with the highlight being their effort on vault with a huge score. We were so close to the 196 score tonight that we have been chasing, but we do have two chances next weekend to get it."
Team Notes:
• The Redbirds took an early lead after the first rotation, scoring a 48.750 on bars to move just ahead of Southeast Missouri State.
• ISU maintained its lead halfway through the meet, after going 48.875 on beam to maintain a half point lead after two rotations.
• A 49.025 on floor maintained the lead for the Redbirds through three rotations, as ISU took nearly a two-point advantage to the vault.
• The Redbirds capped things off in impressive fashion with a 49.325 on vault, which is the second-highest score on the event in school history, to come away with the win and a season-high score.
Gymnast Notes:
• For the fourth time in as many meets, senior Angelica Labat took home the all-around title in the tri-meet thanks to a score of 39.225 to finish just ahead of Taylor Ingle of SEMO.
• The Redbirds took the top three spots on vault, with Labat leading the way with a career-high tying score of 9.950 to win … she was followed closely by Alana Laster and Jaye Mack, who both tallied scores of 9.900 to tie for second place.
• Freshman Reese Grolla took the event win on bars with a career-best 9.850, with Labat right behind in a tie for second place with a 9.800.
• Two Redbirds tied for the event win on beam, with reigning MIC Co-Newcomer of the Week Ally Lau and Madison Kipp knotted at the top spot with scores of 9.825.
• Mack was the top finisher on the floor for ISU, as she tied for third place with a score of 9.850.
Up Next:
The Redbirds return home next Friday, February 23, to host Western Michigan and Alaska Anchorage at CEFCU Arena. The meet will start at 7 p.m., but fans are encouraged to come early as the Redbirds will unveil their updated championship banner reflecting the 2023 MIC Championship.
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