March 7, 2009
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The 15th-ranked Illinois women's gymnastics team posted its second-best score of the season to defeat Illinois-Chicago on Saturday by a score of 195.925-193.725 in front of 1,155 fans at Huff Hall. The Illini, who hit on all 24 routines, were led by sophomore Allison Buckley's three individual titles, including the all-around. The meet was the final regular season home competition for seniors Marijka Botterman, Julie Crall, Kim Kruk, and Lindsey Smith.
"I saw a lot of good things today from a lot of different people," head coach Bob Starkell said. "We hit on every one of our routines, so we don't really have much to complain about. I was very pleased with the way that the girls were able to remain focused and not get too emotional because of senior day."
Illinois began the competition on vault, where they scored a 48.950, led by Buckley's title sharing 9.825. Botterman, sophomore Melissa Fernandez, and freshman Kelsey Joannides all scored 9.800s to tie for third place and junior Nicole Cowart rounded out the Illini total with a 9.725. Illinois took a significant lead (48.950-47.975) after the first rotation, as the Flames struggled on bars.
The Illini took the top-four spots on bars in rotation two to garner a total of 48.850. Junior Sarah Schmidt won her third bars title of the year with a 9.825, while Buckley, Cowart, and Fernandez all tied for second with 9.775s. Illinois led UIC by .875 following rotation two.
After suffering three falls last weekend on beam, the Illini bounced back with their second best score of the year on the event with 49.050. Buckley, a 2008 All-American on beam, tied her career-best and the second-best score in school history with a 9.925 to take the event title. Crall (9.850) and Fernandez (9.825) were also impressive, taking second and third, respectively. Cowart, Joannides, and sophomore Lashlee Morris each scored a 9.725 to tie for fourth place.
Illinois concluded the afternoon with its second-best floor score of the season - 49.075. Joannides tied her career-high with a 9.875 to tie Schmidt for the title. Botterman also had a solid performance, tallying a 9.800 in the leadoff position.
All three Illini all-arounders scored over 39.0, led by Buckley's 39.275 to take the crown. Joannides took third with a 39.050, while Cowart was just behind with a 39.000.
"We looked good today, so I'm hoping that we can carry this momentum over to next week and into Big Ten's." Starkell said.
Illinois will travel to Chicago next Saturday, March 14, at 5 p.m. to take part in the annual State of Illinois Classic. The competition features the four Division I women's gymnastics team from the state - Illinois, Illinois State, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Illinois - and serves as the unofficial state championship. Illinois took last year's title with a 194.825, followed by UIC (194.550), Northern Illinois (193.725), and Illinois State (191.950). Following that, the Fighting Illini will return to Huff Hall on March 21 to host the Big Ten Championships at 2 p.m.
