at Ball State, February 4th, 2011

The Redbirds went back on the road the week following the competition against Denver University. They competed in Muncie, Indiana at Ball State University on the fourth of February. The girls went into this meet feeling more confident after the previous few competitions, scoring higher after the tough performances in Seattle.
The gymnastics team started on the uneven bars. With the exception of Kim Genereux’s fall, the Birds did very well. Genereux was trying so hard to stick her dismount that she unfortunately ended up sitting it down. The girls were in the lead after the first event with a total score of 48.225.
• Emily Matko 9.550
• Chelsie Seplowin 9.525
• Jenna Bossle 9.650
• Apollonia Barrientos 9.725
• Kim Genereux 9.100
• Erica Schick 9.775
The vault followed. In a strange twist in lineup, Coach Conkling started off the event with Apples Barrientos, who had previously been going third. His thoughts, I believe, were to start off with a stronger score in the hopes that the scores would build on each other. Although an interest idea, it didn’t quite work…
• Apollonia Barrientos 9.7
• Marissa Stom 9.625
• Hannah Deutsch 9.575
• Kim Genereux 9.150
• Erica Schick 9.650
• Jenna Bossle 9.675
It seems Coach Conkling had the wrong idea for this competition, and should have put Apollonia in the sixth spot, as her score was the highest and probably would have been higher if she hadn’t been in the first spot. But the Redbirds were still in the lead after two events, with a running total of 96.450, still improving their lead against the Cardinals.
The next event, the floor exercise. What hampered the Birds on this event, was start value issues. There were several scores that Coach Conkling had to petition. Luckily, the judges ruled in the Birds favor, and after three events, the running total was 145.000-143.200.
• Hannah Meyer 9.700
• Marissa Stom 9.575
• Kim Genereux 9.650
• Apollonia Barrientos 9.725
• Hannah Deutsch 9.725
• Erica Schick 9.750
Finally, the last event for the Redbirds, the balance beam, which is always a tough event to end on. Only one major hitch in the event, it seems the freshman, Jenna Bossle, was a little nervous to be competing and unfortunately fell twice. With that exception, there were only a few bobbles here and there, and the Birds put up a total score of 48.250.
• Marissa Stom 9.650
• Jenna Bossle 8.200
• Kim Genereux 9.500
• Erica Schick 9.675
• Melissa Mann 9.700
• Hannah Deutsch 9.725
The Redbirds won the meet with a respectable score of 193.250 to Ball State’s 191.975. Although the Birds were pleased with their efforts for the night, they are still definitely looking to improve on their overall score if they hope for any chance to make it to NCAA Regionals.