Feb. 5, 2005
Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - While the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team remain unbeaten against in-state opponents Illinois State and Illinois-Chicago, the Orange and Blue were unable to overcome Big Ten rival Iowa as the Illini took second to the Hawkeyes Saturday evening in a quad meet at Huff Hall. Iowa took first place with a score of 194.025, Illinois followed with 193.475, Illinois-Chicago was third with 192.675 and Illinois State rounded out the group with 187.025.
After sitting out last weekend's home opener against Denver, senior Lauren Newcomb picked up right where she left off, claiming her fourth all-around title of the season with a score of 38.650.
Although the Illini were looking to grab its first conference win of the season, head coach Bob Starkell still saw good things from some of his gymnasts.
"I was very pleased with our younger gymnasts tonight," said Starkell. Krystal (Melcarek) really responded and stepped up tonight, as did Danye (Botterman). I would like to have seen more from our veterans, but the performances of some of our younger gymnasts was definitely a positive."
Melcarek posted a career high of 9.775 on bars and made her debut in the vault lineup with a solid 9.450. Botterman tied for fifth on vault with a 9.725 and posted a 9.750 on floor to tie for eighth. Junior Emily Earle tied for sixth-place on bars with a career-high 9.650.
With a talented Missouri team waiting in the wings as Illinois' next opponent, Starkell is hoping to see more out of his squad this week in practice.
"This week, it's really important that as a team, we really turn up the intensity against a very good Missouri team," commented Starkell. "We fell a little short tonight, so this week we're really going to have bring it up a notch in practice to prepare for Missouri."
Up Next: The Illini head back on the road for a three-week stretch, beginning with a dual against the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Mo. Friday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. The Illini will then travel to East Lansing, Mich. to face off against Michigan State and Denton, Texas to meet Texas Women's University before returning to Huff Hall on March 6 for an afternoon dual against Northern Illinois at 2 p.m.
