Feb. 24, 2001

PITTSBURGH, Pa. --- The University of Illinois women's gymnastics team earned its first victory of the season. The Illini defeated the University of Pittsburgh squad 192.975-189.650. Illinois is now 1-6 on the season, 0-3 in the Big Ten.

Sophomore Jana Gallagher scored a 9.900 to win the balance beam competition. She also won the all-around with a score of 38.325. Senior Carissa Ericson was the top finisher for the Illini in two events. She tied for first with a vault of 9.675, and she finished third on the floor exercise with a team-high score of 9.675. Sophomore Michelle Buranich won the uneven bars with a score of 9.825.

Senior Phaedra Dixon competed for the first time since tearing her achilles tendon in a preseason practice. She scored a 9.775 on the bars and a 9.650 on the balance beam.

The Illini return home on Saturday, March 3. The meet against Iowa will be at Huff Hall at 7 p.m. It will be "Senior Night" as the five seniors on the women's gymnastics team compete in front of the home crowd for the final time.

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ILLINOIS' SCORES

V	Mina Moradi		9.350
A	Jana Gallagher	9.575
U	Amanda Kaufman	9.175
L	Karen Hawley	9.100
T	Michelle Buranich	9.600
       Carissa Ericson	9.675
Vault Score: 47.375  Running Score: 47.375

	Jana Gallagher	9.675
B	Gina Wiechmann	9.775
A	Lisa Pellegrinetti	9.750
R	Karen Hawley	9.650
S	Phaedra Dixon	9.775
	Michelle Buranich	9.825
Bars Score: 48.825   Running Score: 96.200

	Phaedra Dixon	9.650
B	Lisa Pellegrinetti	9.700
E	Karen Hawley	9.775
A	Gina Wiechmann	9.825
M	Jana Gallagher	9.900
	Michele Mesik	9.250
Beam Score: 48.850   Running Score: 145.050

F	Michele Mesik	9.575
L	Gina Wiechmann	9.650
O	Jana Gallagher	9.150
O	Karen Hawleyi	9.450
R	Lisa Pellegrinetti	9.575
       Carissa Ericson	9.675
Floor Score: 49.250   Running Score: 195.70


ALL-AROUNDERS


	Gallagher	Hawley
VT	9.575		9.100
UB	9.700		9.650
BB	9.900		9.775
FX	9.150		9.450
AA	38.325	37.975