March 5, 2004
Results
Auburn, Ala. - Kara Kapernekas and Cara Pomeroy each tied for an event title as the Illini posted their second-best road score of the season Friday night at Auburn. The No. 17 Tigers took the win 196.350-194.825 and avenged an upset loss to the Illini last season at Huff Hall. The Illini dropped to 7-7 on the season with the loss, while Auburn improved to 8-4.
"All in all I'm happy because it's a good road score and will help our RQS, which is very important," said Illinois Head Coach Starkell of the meet. "Two of our more consistent athletes struggled, which means there is a lot of room for improvement. Coming off the trip to Nebraska we had a really short week - only two days of practice - so I think we'll be ready to be back home next weekend for the State Meet."
Illinois started off the evening with a score of 48.75 on the uneven bars. Freshman Cara Pomeroy turned in a beautiful 9.900 performance to tie for first place with Auburn's Natica Johnson. It was Pomeroy's fifth uneven bars title of the season. Fellow freshman Danye Botterman tied her career-high with a 9.700 on bars.
From there the Orange and Blue moved to the vault, where they struggled to a score of 48.150. Jessica Cole and Ashley Williams led the Illini with 9.700s. Cole's score was a new season-high. Auburn's Kristi Boyte won the vault with a 9.925.
Illinois bounced back with a 49.050 on the floor exercise, the team's most consistent event meet in and meet out. Sophomore Katie Wild and Williams led the way with 9.850s to tie for fourth place. Juniors Lauren Newcomb and Kara Kapernekas each scored 9.800s, while Champaign native Sara Dumich turned in a 9.750. Boyte and Courtney Puckett each scored 9.900 for the Tigers to tie for first place.
The Illini posted their third-highest balance beam score of the season (48.875) to earn their only event win against the Tigers. Kapernekas scored a 9.850 to tie for first place, earning her team-leading ninth event title of the season and her fifth on beam. Junior Margaret Dann led off with a 9.800 to equal her season high and tie for fourth place. Wild and Pomeroy turned in solid performances as well; each scoring 9.775 and 9.725 respectively on beam. Boyte scored a 9.850 to lead Auburn and tie Kapernekas for first place.
Kapernekas placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.950. Northport, Ala. native Williams struggled in the return to her home state. She had two falls and finished fifth with a score of 37.675. Auburn's Courtney Puckett won the all-around with a score of 39.175.
Despite the loss, the score does help boost Illinois' Regional Qualifying Score (RQS). Tonight's score of 194.825 bumped out a 193.675, which lifts Illinois' RQS to from 194.585 to 194.815. With just two meets left, any increase in RQS helps in the race to reach the NCAA Regional Championships.
Up Next: Next Saturday, March 13, the Illini return to Huff Hall for the final time this season to host the State of Illinois Classic at 2 p.m. The "unofficial state title" features the state's four Division I teams: the Fighting Illini, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State and Northern Illinois.
Illinois at #17 Auburn * March 5, 2004 * Beard-Eaves Coliseum, Auburn, Ala.
Team Results Total V UB BB FX
#17 Auburn 196.350 49.100 49.050 48.825 49.375
Illinois 194.825 48.150 48.750 48.875 49.050
