Feb. 4, 2006

Complete Results |  Photo Gallery

Champaign, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics squad took their performance to a whole new level Saturday night as they recorded a season-high 194.175. The 2006 best was more than enough to fend off the Illinois State Redbird in Huff Hall by a score of 194.175-187.875 and could not come at a better time with No. 7 Missouri coming into town next weekend.

Head coach Bob Starkell is confident that his team can continue to improve in the upcoming weeks.

"We are still early enough in the season that we can concentrate on improvement," Starkell said. "And I think that's what you saw here tonight."

The Illini started the night on vault where they recorded six of the top seven score. Leading the Orange and Blue were sophomore Michelle McGrady with a 9.800 and freshman Kim Kruk with a career-best 9.750. By the end of the meet Kruk had recorded three new personal-bests.

"She's been having a hard time being consistent," Starkell said on Kim Kruk. "She's finding out how to be stronger in practice which is having a direct outcome on her meets."

Illinois finished with a score of 48.625 on vault. Juniors Melissa Singer and Danye Botterman posted 9.700s and freshman Marijka Botterman (9.675) and Lindsey Smith (9.650) rounded out the pack.

After having several rough bar routines in the past two meets, the Illini pulled their act together in the second event Saturday night. Junior Cara Pomeroy led the way with a season-best 9.875. Danye Botterman took second place with a 9.800. Kruk rounded out the top three with a personal-best 9.775. The Illini finished the event with a season best 48.925.

From there, the Orange and Blue lost a little momentum as they struggled on beam, only putting up a 47.975. Pomeroy recorded her second first-place performance of the night with a 9.775. Senior Katie Wild and McGrady each put up 9.700s to tie for second.

To finish the night off, the Illini swept the top six spots on floor. McGrady wrapped up her third meet with two first-place finishes by taking the floor with a 9.800. Kruk finished second with a personal best 9.775. Her score also gave her the meet's all-around title with a season-high 38.575. Round out the team's vault score of 49.650 were Pomeroy (9.750), Wild (9.700) and Botterman (9.625).

Next week, the Illini host the No. 7 Missouri Tigers at Huff Hall on Saturday, Feb. 11. The women will share the floor with the Illini men gymnasts as they compete against Temple. The meet is set to kick off at 7 p.m.