IOWA CITY, Iowa – A big challenge awaited Illinois State on Saturday in the 2026 gymnastics season opener, as the Redbirds took on a pair of Big Ten opponents in host Iowa and Illinois as well as a nationally-ranked Iowa State squad in the annual Border Battle meet. The Redbirds fought back after a tough first rotation, but finished in fourth place overall at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the opening quad meet of the year.
Scoring Breakdown:
• Iowa: 196.000
• Illinois: 194.950
• Iowa State: 193.450
• Illinois State: 191.900
Thoughts From Coach Ringer:
"I'm impressed with this group and their ability to finish when things don't go their way early in the meet. I've seen so much growth from this group and to finish that strong on bars, which is an event we have been a bit shaky at during the fall preparations, showed a lot about who they are. Now, we have to think about what happened today and look at the good things we can build on, and improve on some others that were not up to our standards. It's only a bad thing when you don't learn from mistakes and I tell the team all the time we are either winning or learning. Today defines a learning opportunity for the younger and more inexperienced members of our program who have never competed in an atmosphere like this one."
Team Notes:
• The Redbirds started the meet on beam and had some struggles, scoring 47.150 to sit in fourth place overall after the first rotation.
• ISU bounced back with a solid effort on floor in rotation two, posting a 48.225 to cut into the deficit.
• On the third rotation, the Redbirds posted their highest event score of the night with a 48.425 on vault.
• Illinois State finished out the meet on bars with a 48.100, to finish in fourth place overall.
Gymnast Notes:
• Sammie Wolff posted the highest individual finish of the day on vault, as she tied for second overall with a score of 9.825.
• On bars, Madyson Baucom and Jada Beswick were the top Redbird finishers, each tying for 11th with scores of 9.775.
• Senior Jaly Jones led the way on beam for the Redbirds, posting a score of 9.750 to place sixth overall.
• Jones also led the way on floor with a 9.750 to tie for sixth, while Mia LeBlanc (9.675) and Courtney Woods (9.650) both added Top 15 individual finishes for ISU.
Up Next:
The Redbirds return to action next Friday, January 16, when they head to Chicago to compete in the Windy City Invite at Navy Pier against Centenary, Southeast Missouri State, Fisk, and Wilberforce at 7 p.m. ISU will then return home to host its first meet of the season on Sunday, January 18, against Centenary.
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