Feb. 17, 2006

Complete Results

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Friday, February 17, 2006) The Redhawks gymnastics team got their revenge as they defeated Midwest Independent Conference rival Illinois State, 189.800-187.625 on Friday evening at Houck Field House. It was the Redhawks fifth-straight dual victory at home dating back to last season.

The Redbirds (3-5, 1-1 MIC) defeated the Redhawks (4-3, 2-2 MIC) earlier this season in Bloomington, Illinois to snap the Redhawks seven-dual winning streak against the Redbirds. This time around the Redhawks won decidedly by sweeping all four events.

Meaghan Koshman won the vault title with a score of 9.850 but the Redhawks claimed the next three spots with freshman Starlyn Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla./First City) leading the way with a score of 9.625 for the second place finish. Fellow freshman Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid-Columbia) followed her with a score of 9.600. Alison Ezell (Kansas City, Kan./ Alpha Omega) claimed fourth place honors with a score of 9.550.

Blake recorded her third-straight meet with a score of 9.800 or higher on the bars as she claimed her first of two individual titles with a score of 9.800. Maureen Grimaldi (Kansas City, Mo./Eagles) finished second with a score of 9.700 and veteran Brystol Powelski (Franklin, Wis./ Salto Gymnastics) completed the Redhawks sweep of the top-three spots with a score of 9.675, tying her season-high.

The Redbirds came out tough on the beam, claiming the top two spots but the Redhawks clinched the event win by finishing third through sixth. Schwartz led the way with a score of 9.600 followed by Powelski (9.550), Blake (9.500) and Grimaldi (9.350).

Blake claimed her second-straight floor title with a score of 9.775. Freshman Chelsea Unold (Plymouth, Minn./Twin City Twisters) was the next best Redhawks finisher with a fourth place finish, tying her season-high with a score of 9.600.

Blake capped-off her night with her fourth all-around title of the season as she finished with a combined score of 38.675. Powelski finished second with a score of 37.825.

"It wasn't our strongest meet this season," said Head Coach Tom Farden. "But we competed very hard and got the win. Now we need to look forward at next week's tough meet and leave this one behind us."

The Redhawks improve to 11-1 under Coach Farden in home dual meets.

The Redhawks hit the road for their next meet as they travel to Denton, Texas to face ranked opponents Texas Woman's University and the University of Iowa on Saturday, February 25. Start time is 7:00 p.m.