Over the next few days, I will be providing a recap of the competitions that your Redbird gymnasts have already competed in thus far throughout the season. Preseason was challenging as always, with Head Coach Bob Conkling creating difficult practices and even more rigorous strength and conditioning at the end of workouts. Through his first five years at ISU, he has yet to coach the team to the regional competition and his ambition was showing through in the assignments that he was consistently giving to the girls in the gym. Despite having a few weeks off during Christmas, the girls were still working hard, obviously sharing the same desire to attend regionals as their coaches. Finally, after weeks of practicing, the season for competition was about to commence. It all begin with a duel against conference rival, Southeast Missouri State at home in Horton Field House on January 8th. Following that, the Redbirds traveled to Seattle where they competed in two competitions; one against Seattle-Pacific University on Friday, January 14th and the next, in a quad meet the following day at Washington in which Boise State and Seattle-Pacific also took part in. The Redbirds came back home two weeks ago on January 23rd to compete in a quad meet including fellow Midwest Independent Conference team University of Illinois-Chicago, Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University. This particular meet was also the first annual Illinois vs. Michigan competition, creating a dual between the two states. Finally, your Birds competed at home for a third time against No. 24 Denver University.
