March 23, 2005
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - With seniority on their side, the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team looks to make their mark at this season's Big Ten Championships, hosted by the University of Iowa Saturday, March 26 at 6 p.m. The Illini look to capitalize on the wealth of experience they hold to improve on last season's sixth-place team finish.
Outlook on 2005 Big Ten Championships...
The Orange and Blue enter the conference championships with a record of 2-2 within the Big Ten, posting wins against Michigan State and Ohio State. 2004 Second-Team All-Big Ten performers Ashley Williams and Cara Pomeroy lead the Illini and are in good position to repeat as some of the top performers in the conference.
Williams has two titles on the season, while Pomeroy is currently on a roll with 10 event titles with seven of those coming on bars. Pomeroy has won five consecutive bar titles heading into this weekend, scoring no lower than a 9.900 in her last four meets.
Pomeroy, ranked No. 7 on bars in the nation, will need a near-perfect performance facing Elise Ray of Michigan, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation on bars and posted a perfect 10.0 last season to take home the conference crown, in addition to event titles on floor, beam and in the all-around.
As intimidating as Ray's credentials may seem, Pomeroy is up to the challenge, with a perfect 10.0 listed in her repertoire as well. Pomeroy won bars at last year's regional championships with score of 10.0, the first in Illini history.
Live scoring for the 2005 Big Ten Championships will be available at www.bigten.org and at www.hawkeyesports.com.
The Last Time...
March 19, 2005
State of Illinois Classic
Illinois-Chicago 195.250, Illinois 194.000, Northern Illinois 192.750, Illinois State 191.250
UIC Physical Education Building, Chicago, Illinois
Ranking: 33rd (GymInfo)
Record: 17-5 overall, 2-2 Big Ten
CHICAGO, Ill. -- In their last meet of the regular season, the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team posted a strong score of 194.000, but were unable to come out on top as Illinois-Chicago placed first with 195.250, followed by the Illini in second. Northern Illinois took third with 192.750 and Illinois State was fourth with 191.250.
Despite notching solid scores throughout the afternoon, the Illini could not overcome the Flames, who lead by a slim margin from the onset. With the fourth and final rotation commencing, Illinois-Chicago lead by .175 with Illinois headed to the bars and the Flames taking to the floor. However, Illinois-Chicago continued to post solid scores that the Illini were unable to overcome for the win.
Illinois sophomore Danye Botterman was a winner on vault, sharing the title with Veronique Meunier of Illinois-Chicago as both gymnasts scored a 9.850. Fellow sophomore Cara Pomeroy notched her seventh bar title of the season with a 9.925, tying with Illinois-Chicago's Alyson Cacciatore. On beam, Pomeroy finished second with a 9.850, while seniors Ashley Williams and Kara Kapernekas tied for third with a 9.775. Kapernekas and Botterman were the Illini's highest finishers on floor, tying for third with a 9.800.
Cacciatore took the all-around title with a score of 39.100. Williams was fifth with a 38.325, and senior Lauren Newcomb placed seventh with 37.300. For their outstanding performance on the afternoon, Williams, Pomeroy, Kapernekas and Botterman were all selected to the Illinois All-State team.
2004 Big Ten Champions Recap
Team Results
1. Michigan 197.800
2. Penn State 196.625
3. Iowa 196.500
4. Minnesota 196.325
5. Michigan State 196.025
6. Illinois 195.400
7. Ohio State 194.450
Individual Champions
Vault: Alexis Maday, Iowa 9.975
Bars: Elise Ray, Michigan 10.0
Beam: Elise Ray, Michigan 9.950
Floor: Alexis Maday, Iowa 9.950
Elise Ray, Michigan 9.950
All Around: Elise Ray, Michigan 39.800
Gymnast of the Year
Alexis Maday, Iowa
Freshman of the Year
Victoria Iakounina, Michigan State
Coach of the Year (3-Way Tie)
Mike Lorenzen, Iowa
Bev Plocki, Michigan
Kathie Klages, Michigan State
