Redbirds Finish Third In Champaign Against The Illini and Huskies

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – It was a big competition on Saturday at Huff Hall in Champaign for Illinois State, as the Redbirds matched up against a pair of Big Ten Conference foes in Illinois and Washington. The Redbirds stayed close for the majority of the meet, but ultimately came in third place with a 194.775 behind the Illini and the Huskies.

Scoring Breakdown:
•    Illinois: 195.825
•    Washington: 194.875
•    Illinois State: 194.775

Thoughts From Coach Conkling:
"We had two strong events and two okay events today. If we want to continue to battle for spot at regionals as a team, we need to have four strong events every time out. This team is so capable of being great, they just need to believe it and start training like it day in and day out."

Team Notes:
•    The Redbirds started the meet on bars and were a close third after the first rotation, as they scored 48.350 to sit behind their Big Ten counterparts after one.
•    As the action moved the floor, the Redbirds went big with a 49.075 to climb into second place behind the Illini halfway through the meet.
•    The vault also produced strong scores for the Redbirds, as they posted a 48.975 to hold onto second place behind the Illini as they headed to the final rotation of the meet.

Gymnast Notes:
•    The Redbirds took the top three spots on the vault, with Mya Robinson finishing in first place with a score of 9.875. She was followed in second place by Jaye Mack with a 9.850 and Alana Laster with a 9.825.
•    Reese Grolla was the top finisher on bars with her 9.800, with Sara Wabi right behind in a tie for seventh with a 9.700.
•    Jaly Jones and Grolla tied for sixth on bars with scores of 9.725.
•    Wabi and Laster tied for fourth place on the floor with scores of 9.875, with Mack just behind in seventh place with a 9.850.
•    Robinson finished third in the all-around with her final score of 38.600.

Up Next:
The Redbirds return home next Friday to host a quad meet at Horton Field House with MIC foe Centenary, Central Michigan and Bowling Green, with action set to begin at 7 p.m.  

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