Redbirds Fall To No. 15 Ranked Minnesota In Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – For the second time this season, the Illinois State gymnastics team traveled to compete against a Big Ten Conference foe this time in Minneapolis, Minnesota, against No. 15 ranked Minnesota. The Gophers proved why they are one of the best teams in the country, as they picked up a 197.125-195.200 win over the Redbirds on Saturday at Maturi Pavilion.
Scoring Breakdown:
• Minnesota: 197.125
• Illinois State: 195.200
Thoughts From Coach Conkling:
"The team was strong on two of the four events tonight, but gave away a lot of points that we could have used especially on bars and beam. I know how capable this team is on all four events and they need to pull it all together again."
Team Notes:
• The Redbirds started things off on bars, scoring well to start the meet with a 48.650 thanks to a pair of scores of 9.800.
• ISU was even better in the second rotation on vault, as they scored a season-high 49.125 to pull closer to the Gophers halfway through the meet.
• The Birds kept the momentum going in the third rotation, as they scored a 49.175 on the floor to pull even closer to Minnesota heading into the final rotation of the meet.
• The meet ended with the Redbirds having to count a fall on beam and scoring 48.250 to cap things off.
Gymnast Notes:
• Senior Jaye Mack was the top finisher for the Redbirds on vault, tying for second with a 9.900, with Mya Robinson and Alana Laster tying for fifth with scores of 9.825.
• Jada Beswick and Sara Wabi tied for fifth on bars with scores of 9.800 as the Redbirds highest scorers.
• On beam, Leah Davis paced the Redbirds with a score of 9.825 to tie for fourth place and was followed by Ally Lau in seventh with a score of 9.800.
• Laster and Mack were their typical selves on the floor, as each recorded scores of 9.875 to tie for third place overall.
Up Next:
The Redbirds return home for Senior Night on Saturday, March 15, at CEFCU Arena when they host Southeast Missouri State for a dual meet at 5 p.m. The meet will be the final one of the regular season, before ISU travels to the MIC Championships hosted by Centenary on Friday, March 21.
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