Feb. 22, 2003

Complete Results

The Illini posted their third-best score of the season at Michigan State on Saturday, but it was not enough as the Spartans pulled away for a 194.900-193.600 victory. Illinois set season highs on vault (48.275) and parallel bars (48.975) and led 146.250-145.625 at the end of three rotations. However, and injury to senior captain Amanda Kaufman at the end of her floor routine left the team scrambling to fill her spot on their final event, the balance beam. Sara Dumich filled in for Kaufman on beam, but the Illini were still shaken after the loss of Kaufman and faltered to a 47.350 beam score, while MSU excelled on the floor exercise (49.275) to take the win.

"As a team, we're starting to head in the right direction after today," said head coach Bob Starkell. "I think Amanda's injury really affected the team mentally, but still, we were very strong on three events vs. a higher ranked team, which should really help our confidence."

Sophomore Ashley Williams had another great meet for the Orange and Blue. After tying the school all-around record of 39.350 last week, Williams turned in another solid performance today by scoring a 39.225 to take second place. She won the bars title with a 9.875, was second on beam (9.800), tied for third on vault (9.700) and was fourth on the floor exercise (9.850).

Sophomore transfer Jessica Cole also had a nice afternoon for the Illini. She finished fourth on the balance beam (9.725) and tied for fifth on the bars by equaling a season high score of 9.800 en route to a 39.000 all-around score. Sara Dumich set a career high on the floor exercise (9.850) to tie for fourth place along with Williams and Karen Hawley, who's 9.850 equaled a season best.

Freshman Emily Earle made her Fighting Illini debut on bars, scoring a 9.525. It marked the first time in three meets that the Illini have been healthy enough to put up six competitors on the uneven bars.

"I'm very proud of Ashley Williams," said Starkell. "This is her second solid meet in a row. Also, Jessica Cole, I thought, had a great day. She really did a good job of preparing her self for this meet all week. And Emily Earle gave us a big lift on bars. I think her stepping in and allowing us to have six competitors really gave everyone more confidence."

The Illini remain on the road next weekend when they head out to Colorado to take on No. 11 Denver. Illinois returns home on Saturday, March 8 when they host the No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes at Huff Hall.

Team Results		  V	     UB   	 BB	    FX	    Total
Michigan State		48.525	49.125	47.975	49.275	194.900
Illinois			     48.275	48.975	47.350	49.000	193.600