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Illinois Posts Top Score of Season in Victory Over Ohio State
Feb. 3, 2007
For the second week in a row, the #28 Illinois women's gymnastics team posted a new season high score in route to beating a higher-ranked Big Ten opponent. This weekend, it was the #19 Ohio State Buckeyes who succumbed to the Illini by nearly a full point, 194.950-194.000, at Huff Hall on Saturday night. Freshman Nicole Cowart was the star for the Illini, winning the all-around and tying for first on floor. "Tonight was a good sign of improvement of our team," said Illini head coach Bob Starkell. "The underclassmen are starting to lose their jitters and step up, which is good to see. Ohio State is always competitive, so it's good to get a win against Big Ten competition." The Orange and Blue came out of the gates running by beating Ohio State in the first rotation by a score of 48.750-48.675. They would never look back after securing the early lead on the vault. Cowart led all Illini gymnasts on vault with a score of 9.800 to take third place, while junior Michelle McGrady scored a season-high 9.775 to take fourth place. The Illini (2-2, 2-0) posted their top score of the season (48.975) on the uneven bars in rotation two. Sophomore Marijka Botterman, freshman Sarah Schmidt, sophomore Kim Kruk and junior Krystal Melcarek all tied for second on bars with a score of 9.800. Cowart was right behind them with a career-high score of 9.775, while Schmidt and Botterman also broke their personal records on the event. After two rotations, the Illini were leading 97.725-97.475. The Illini then dominated the balance beam, taking the top four individual places and topping OSU on the event by nearly a point with a score of 48.775. Sophomore Julie Crall took first place with a 9.825, while Schmidt (9.750), Cowart (9.750) and senior Cara Pomeroy (9.750) claimed the spots 2-4, respectively. Kruk (9.700) finished in a fifth place tie with two Ohio State gymnasts. With three rotations in the book, the Illini enjoyed a 146.500-146.150 lead. Illinois put the meet away on floor in the fourth and final rotation. Cowart again led the Orange and Blue with a career-high 9.800, which put her in a tie for first place on the event. Lindsey Smith came in second for the Illini and fifth overall with a career-high 9.725. Throughout the meet, Cowart paced the Illini and posted the top overall score in the all-around with a career-high of 39.125. It was the second career all-around crown of Cowart's young career. Kim Kruk also had a solid all-around score of 38.925 to take fourth place. Illinois next travels to Ann Arbor, Mich. as they will battle the Michigan Wolverines and Nebraska Cornhuskers next Friday, Feb. 9 in the first of two consecutive road meets. The action will get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 CST.
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