March 10, 2005
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team look to finish out the regular season on a high note when they welcome Ohio State to Huff Hall in a 2 p.m. dual Saturday afternoon. The Illini are 13-4 on the season with a record of 1-2 in the Big Ten heading into their last meeting with a conference opponent before the Big Ten Championships March 26.
Six Fighting Illini seniors will also wrap up their career in Orange and Blue with a senior day celebration following the meet.
Outlook on Ohio State
The Buckeyes of Ohio State wrapped up their home season last weekend, suffering a 194.775-193.325 loss to No. 21 Arizona. OSU holds a record of 5-8 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Five of Ohio State's opponents this season have been Top-25 teams, however the Buckeyes have been unable to come out on top in those contests. Three of Ohio State's victories have come over Illinois State, Pittsburgh and Maryland.
The Buckeyes are led by 2004 First-Team All-Big Ten selection Elizabeth Meaney. Tied for 19th nationally on beam, Meaney is enjoying much of the same success this season with seven beam titles in eight meets.
Along with Meaney, Maalika Moore-Thomas also adds depth at the beam position. On vault, the Buckeyes look to newcomers Jessica Rosette and Karley Walek to add solid scores.
The Buckeyes are in their first year with a new staff, lead by head coach Carey Fagan, with assistant coaches William Lorenz and Jay Santos.
The Last Time...
As the regular season winds down, the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team is just heating up, capturing its third consecutive victory last weekend at Huff Hall. In front of a crowd of 1,195 fans, which included over 650 local girl scouts, the Illini captured first place with a score of 193.875, followed by Northern Illinois with 191.525 and the Japan All-Stars at 189.950.
Consistency was the key as Illinois enjoyed solid marks all afternoon. The Orange and Blue captured the top spot on all four events with four out of six gymnasts scoring a 9.800 and higher on beam.
Senior Kara Kapernekas was the big winner for the Illini, capturing two event titles. Kapernekas shared the top spot on beam with Northern Illinois' Kristina Campos with a 9.825 and ran away with first place on floor with a score of 9.825.
Sophomore Danye Botterman captured her first event title of the season with a 9.750 on vault. Fellow sophomore Cara Pomeroy continued to dominate on bars, placing first with a score of 9.900, which is Pomeroy's fifth bars title of the season and her third consecutive win on the event.
Senior Ashley Williams placed third in the all-around with 38.075 behind Campos (38.775) and NIU's Ashlee Williams (38.275).
Illini Notes
Fighting Illini Say Goodbye To Seniors After Meet Against Ohio State
Saturday's meet marks the last time six valuable gymnasts will compete for the Orange and Blue at Huff Hall. Seniors Jessica Cole, Margaret Dann, Sara Dumich, Kara Kapernekas, Lauren Newcomb and Ashley Williams have all shared a part in raising the level of success of Illinois gymnastics in the past five years. Between the six athletes lie 61 event titles and six school event records, not to mention the records that have been set with these gymnasts in the lineup:
Jessica Cole, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Has been a solid contributor for the Illini on vault and bars this season
• Shares the Illinois vault record of 9.925 with Nicole Viernes (`96)
• Won the vault title at the State of Illinois Classic in 2003 with a score of 9.925
Margaret Dann, St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Senior Co-Captain
• Has been the Illini's lead-off competitor on beam in the past 22 meets
• Set a career-high 9.850 on beam at the State of Illinois Classic in 2003
Sara Dumich, Champaign, Ill.
• Has been the Illini's lead-off competitor in the past 22 meets on floor
• Tied her career-high of 9.850 on floor at the State of Illinois Classic
• Also holds a career-high of 9.75 on beam set this year against Denver
Kara Kapernekas, Westchester, Ill.
• Team Co-Captain both junior and senior seasons
• Named team's Most Valuable Gymnast in 2004, Most Outstanding Gymnast and Most Consistent Beam in 2003
• Shares the Illini floor record of 9.950 with Amanda Kaufman (`03) and Phaedra Dixon (`01)
• Has captured a total 20 event titles in her career at Illinois, including three this season
Lauren Newcomb, Evansville, Ind.
• Began the 2005 season with three straight all-around victories
• Leads the team with eight event titles on the season
• Was an alternate for the NCAA Championships after scoring a career-high 38.950 in the all-around at 2004 regionals
Ashley Williams, Northport, Ala.
• Competed at the 2004 NCAA Championships in the all-around, finishing tied for 46th
• Holds the Illinois all-around record of 39.475
• Second-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2003 and 2004
• Has captured a total 28 event titles as an Illini
Meet Promotions at Illinois women's gymnastics
Saturday is senior day at Illinois gymnastics where the Illini will honor nine gymnasts from both the men's and women's teams for all their hard work and dedication displayed throughout their careers in Orange and Blue.
Saturday is also dorm challenge day where the U of I dorm floor with the most representation at the meet will win a free pizza party. And in addition to all UI and Parkland students receiving free admission, kids 8th grade and under also can attend Saturday's meet free of charge.
Live Video of Saturday's Competition
Can't make it to Huff Hall Saturday afternoon? Catch all the action of Fighting Illini women's gymnastics right from your home computer. Live video of Saturday's match can be accessed at www.fightingillini.com.
Up Next...
The Illini will officially wrap up the regular season in the Windy City for the State of Illinois Classic Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. The Illini look to defend their title won last season with a school record score of 196.300. March 26, Illinois heads to Iowa City for the Big Ten Championships, beginning at 6 p.m.
