Jan. 17, 2004

Results

Chicago, Ill. - For the second straight week, the 21st-ranked University of Illinois women's gymnastics team topped an in-state rival on the road. Last week the victim was Northern Illinois; this week is was the Illinois-Chicago Flames. The Illini (2-0) posted a score of 193.025 to top UIC's 192.750 for the victory. Despite earning a lower score than last weekend (193.675 vs. NIU), fifth-year head coach Bob Starkell was still happy to come home with a win.

"We were a little flat tonight, but I thought we did a good job of staying focused and competing hard. We didn't perform as well we did last weekend," said Starkell, "but Illinois-Chicago has sort of had our number over the past few years, so it's nice to come out of their gym with a win."

Senior co-captain Kara Kapernekas had a stellar meet, winning both the uneven bars and balance beam. The Westchester, Ill. native took the bars with a career-high tying score of 9.850 and then followed that up with a 9.875 on beam to take the victory. She also posted the team's second highest score on floor (9.750) to take fifth place.

"As a senior co-captain, Kara (Kapernekas) really did her job tonight," said Starkell. "Whenever we needed a score, she came through and is one of the main reasons we pulled this one out."

Freshman Danye Botterman won the vault for the second straight week with a score of 9.850. She also excelled on floor, earning a team-high 9.775, which was good for a tie for third place overall. Sophomore Kim Kirzow also had a good day for the Orange and Blue. Kirzow, who missed all of the 2003 season after having major surgery on her foot, competed on both vault and bars for the Illini on Saturday, after making her UI debut on vault last week vs. NIU. The Eatontown, N.J. native tied for second place in her first collegiate bars routine with a score of 9.750. She also posted a solid vault of 9.625 to finish sixth.

"Danye (Botterman) pulled it all together and had a great day today," Starkell said. "Kim Kirzow also had a good meet. She's missed a lot of time due to injury, but she's really tough when it comes time to compete."

Lauren Newcomb was Illinois' highest all-around finisher. She took fourth in the all-around with a score of 38.075. Her best event was the vault, where she posted a 9.800 to tie for second place behind Botterman.

Up Next: The #21 Illini will open up their home schedule next Sunday, Jan. 25 when they host Michigan State at 2 p.m. at Huff Hall. It will be a double dual, as the #3 Illinois men will host #8 Minnesota at the same time.

Team Results
Illinois
Vault - 48.375
Bars - 48.050
Beam - 48.150
Floor - 48.450
Total - 193.025

Illinois-Chicago
Vault - 48.200
Bars - 47.575
Beam - 48.325
Floor - 48.650
Total - 192.750

Illinois Results (and event winners)
Vault
1. Danye Botterman 9.850
2t. Lauren Newcomb 9.800
6. Kim Kirzow 9.625
7. Melissa Singer 9.575
9. Jessica Cole 9.525
10t. Ashley Williams 9.500

Bars
1. Kara Kapernekas 9.850
2t. Kim Kirzow 9.750
4t. Jessica Cole 9.700
6. Lauren Newcomb 9.650
11. Ashley Williams 9.100
12. Cara Pomeroy 8.300

Beam
1. Kara Kapernekas 9.875
4. Cara Pomeroy 9.750
6t. Margaret Dann 9.675
8. Ashley Williams 9.550
10. Katie Wild 9.300
11. Lauren Newcomb 9.100

Floor
1. Jackie Jaworowicz - UIC 9.850
3t. Danye Botterman 9.775
5. Kara Kapernekas 9.750
6. Katie Wild 9.725
7. Ashley Williams 9.675
10. Lauren Newcomb 9.525
11t. Sara Dumich 9.250

All-Around
1. Veronique Meunier 38.525
4. Lauren Newcomb 38.075
5. Ashley Williams 37.825