Jan. 31, 2004

Results

Columbus, Ohio - The Illinois women's gymnastics team picked up a big road victory on Saturday, winning at triangular meet over Ohio State and Illinois State in Columbus, Ohio. Illinois' (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) total of 194.850 edged OSU's score of 194.550 and ISU's tally of 190.175 for the victory. The Illini won the beam (48.475) and floor exercise (49.225) en route to the season-high road score.

"We did a good job against a really good Ohio State team tonight," said UI Head Coach Bob Starkell of the victory. "In the 10 years I've been at Illinois, I think this is the first time we've beaten Ohio State on the road. Our goal for this week was a 194, so we surpassed that, which is nice. We started off well on bars, then counted a major mistake on beam, but came back really strong on floor. We had a difficult time on vault, but we got just enough to hang on for the win. We just counted the least number of mistakes and that was enough to come out on top."

Freshman Cara Pomeroy was the lone event winner for the Illini. The Ottawa, Ontario native scored a 9.875 to win the uneven bars and also tied for second on beam with a season/career-high of 9.900. Junior co-captain Ashley Williams took second on two events. The Northport, Alabama native tied Pomeroy for second on beam with a career-high 9.900 and also tied for second on bars with a season-high score of 9.850. Senior co-captain Kara Kapernekas took second on floor with a 9.900, while freshman Danye Botterman posted a pair of third place finishes on vault (9.725) and floor (9.875 - season/career-high). On the evening, the Illini set or tied nine season-highs and four career-highs.

"Our freshman, Danye Botterman and Cara Pomeroy, were outstanding once again. Week-in and week-out they've been performing like veterans. Kara Kapernekas and Ashley Williams each had strong performances tonight, although each of them had an off event. I think everyone is doing their job right now, hopefully we can keep the intensity up on the road again next week."

Williams and junior Lauren Newcomb both competed all-around for the Orange and Blue. Newcomb took second with a score of 38.775. Williams was just behind her in third with a score of 38.750. Ohio State's Elizabeth Meaney won the all-around with a score of 39.450.

Up Next: The Illini will head to Muncie, Ind. for the Cardinal Classic on Friday, Feb. 6, where they will tangle with host Ball State and Bowling Green. Illinois then returns home for a Valentine's Day showdown with #5 Iowa State at Huff Hall.

Illinois at Ohio State w/Illinois State * January 31, 2004 * St. John Area, Columbus, Ohio

Team Results	V	UB	BB	FX	Total

Illinois		48.100	48.950	48.575	49.225	194.850

Ohio State	48.425	49.000	48.350	48.775	194.550

Illinois State	46.400	48.125	48.125	47.525	190.175

Illinois Results (and event winners)
Vault
1. Tiffanie Janke - OSU 9.850
3. Danye Botterman 9.725
5t. Lauren Newcomb 9.650
7t. Melissa Singer 9.575
7t. Kim Kirzow 9.575
7t. Jessica Cole 9.575
13. Ashley Williams 9.175

Bars
1. Cara Pomeroy 9.875
2t. Ashley Williams 9.850
6t. Kara Kapernekas 9.750
6t. Emily Earle 9.750
10t. Lauren Newcomb 9.725
18. Kim Kirzow 9.025

Beam
1. Tiffanie Janke - OSU 9.950
2t. Cara Pomeroy 9.900
2t. Ashley Williams 9.900
10t. Lauren Newcomb 9.625
9. Margaret Dann 9.750
13. Katie Wild 9.400
14. Kara Kapernekas 9.150

Floor
1. Elizabeth Meaney - OSU 9.950
2. Kara Kapernekas 9.900
3t. Danye Botterman 9.875
5t. Katie Wild 9.850
8. Ashley Williams 9.825
9. Lauren Newcomb 9.775
10. Sara Dumich 9.750

All-Around
1. Elizabeth Meaney - OSU 39.450
2. Lauren Newcomb 38.775
3. Ashley Williams 38.750