Jan. 23, 2010
Results
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Senior Nicole Cowart won the all-around and junior Allison Buckley garnered the vault crown, but it wasn't enough as the No. 25 Illini fell to No. 2 Oklahoma, 196.650-194.425, in the home opener at Huff Hall on Saturday night. Illinois notched its best overall score thus far, while posting over a 49 in two events (vault and floor) for the first time this season. Cowart turned in season-highs on every event but bars to win the all-around with a score of 39.150, besting Oklahoma's Kayla Nowak by one point.
"We got better in almost every event in some areas," head coach Bob Starkell said. "We will continue to work on performing skills under pressure to help eliminate mistakes in the future. Our seniors performed well tonight, as Nicole continued to get better and Sarah really improved from last week."
The Illini started and ended the night with their two best events, vault and floor. Illinois kicked things off on vault, tallying their top score of the night with a 49.100, which marked the squad's lone event title. Buckley paced the Orange and Blue with a 9.875 to win the individual title followed by junior Melissa Fernandez and Cowart, who tied for second with season best scores (9.850). Sophomore Kelsey Joannides matched her season-best (9.825) and placed fifth.
On floor exercise, every gymnast either set or matched their season high to help the Illini to a score of 49.050. Buckley again turned in 9.875 and placed second to lead the way, while senior Sarah Schmidt tied for third with a 9.850 and Cowart came in fifth with a 9.825. Junior Samantha Perino (9.775) and Joannides (9.725) also displayed solid routines and scored for the Orange and Blue.
In the second rotation, Illinois struggled on bars, with two uncharacteristic falls from Buckley and Fernandez, and turned in a 47.925. Schmidt (9.750) and freshman Jaclyn Kantecki (9.725) both notched season-high scores on the event.
On balance beam, Cowart led the way with a 9.750 and Fernandez was close behind with a 9.725, as the Illini finished with a 48.350. Joannides added a 9.700 followed by Schmidt (9.600) and junior Lashlee Morris (9.575), who competed for the first time this season.
The Illini have improved with each meet this season, while facing top-10 opponents at every competition. Next week, Illinois hits the road again for a dual meet against Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 30.
