CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics squad recorded its highest team score of the season, a 193.025, to defeat the 15th-ranked Michigan State Spartans (192.850). The Illini not only recorded their highest team total of the season, they won the uneven bars with a season-high total of 48.375, nearly a full point higher than their previous top score. Illinois also recorded season bests on the balance beam (48.150) and the floor exercise (48.850). Illinois improves to 3-3 overall this season, 1-1 in the Big Ten.
"All in all, it was the best meet so far," head coach Bob Starkell said. "Key contributions came from the juniors. We were really good in all four events, which did not happen in the first three meets. It came after the hardest week of practice since break. I'm really pleased with the results."
Sophomore Kara Kapernekas had a strong performance, taking the individual title on the uneven bars to lead the Illini in a sweep of the event. Kapernekas scored a career-high 9.825 to win the title followed by Karen Hawley in second (9.775) and Ashley Williams (9.750). Jana Gallagher tied for fourth with a 9.725.
Gallagher also pulled out a strong floor performance, scoring a 9.825 to tie for first. Other top scores for the Illini included Lauren Newcomb on vault (third, 9.650), Hawley on beam (third, 9.725) and Ashley Williams in the all-around (third, 38.400).
The Illini hit the road again, not returning to Huff Hall until Feb. 23. They travel to Penn State on Saturday for an afternoon contest.
Jan. 26, 2002
University of Illinois Women's Gymnastics Vs. Michigan St.
Vault:
1. Hunsinger MSU 9.775
2. Linder MSU 9.725
3. Newcomb Ill 9.650
4. Voth MSU 9.625
5. Buranich Ill 9.575
6. Hawley Ill 9.550
7. Trainham MSU 9.475
8. Ruffolo Ill 9.450
9. Kaufman Ill 9.425
10. Williams Ill 9.275
11. Merritt MSU 9.225
12. Simpson MSU 9.100
Vault Scores:
Ill: 47.650 MSU: 47.825
Bars:
1. Kapernekas Ill 9.825
2. Hawley Ill 9.775
3. Williams Ill 9.750
4T. Gallagher Ill 9.725
4T. Yarbrough MSU 9.725
4T. Crea MSU 9.725
7. Devaty MSU 9.650
8. Hunsinger MSU 9.600
9. Buranich Ill 9.300
10. Linder MSU 9.150
11. Merritt MSU 9.050
12. Ruffolo Ill 8.275
Bars Score:
Ill: 48.375 MSU: 47.850
Beam:
1. Linder MSU 9.850
2. Devaty MSU 9.750
3. Hawley Ill 9.725
4. Dann Ill 9.650
5T. Williams Ill 9.600
5T. Gallagher Ill 9.600
7T. Hunsinger MSU 9.575
7T. Merritt MSU 9.575
7T. Kapernekas Ill 9.575
10. Trainham MSU 9.550
11. Cohen MSU 9.225
12. Berg Ill 9.150
Beam Score:
Ill: 48.150 MSU: 48.300
Floor:
1T. Devaty MSU 9.825
1T. Gallagher Ill 9.825
3T. Hunsinger MSU 9.800
3T. Linder MSU 9.800
5T. Williams Ill 9.775
5T. Dann Ill 9.775
7T. Trainham MSH 9.750
7T. Kaufman Ill 9.750
9. Newcomb Ill 9.725
10. Yarbrough MSU 9.700
11T. Hawley Ill 8.350
11T. Merritt MSU 8.350
Floor Scores:
Ill: 48.850 MSU: 48.875
All-Around:
1. Hunsinger MSU 38.750
2. Linder MSU 38.525
3. Williams Ill 38.400
4. Hawley Ill 37.400
5. Merritt MSU 36.200
Final Scores:
Ill: 193.025 MSU: 192.850
