at SEMO, February 11, 2011

After competing at Ball State University, the Redbirds went on the road the following week to compete against Southeast Missouri State, an MIC rival, on February 11th, 2011. Illinois State hosted SEMO for the season opener on January 8th and won, 191.500-190.275.
Illinois State started on the uneven bars. Emily Matko began the event, scoring a 9.475 and Chelsie Seplowin followed with a score of 9.500. Jenna Bossle scored a 9.600 and Apollonia Barrientos posted a 9.675. The final two competitors were Kim Genereux and Erica Schick, who scored a 9.775 and a 9.825 respectively. The total bar score was a 48.375, not as high of a score as the Redbirds would probably like, but a good start to the competition.
In an interesting twist, Coach Conkling drastically changed the lineup for vault. Erica Schick began the event, scoring a 9.700, really setting up the rest of the girls to build upon that score. Hannah Deutsch and Apollonia Barrientos both scored a 9.725. Unfortunately, Kim Genereux fell on her vault, scoring a 9.250. But Marissa Stom and Jenna Bossle both posted good scores, scoring a 9.775 and a 9.650. Their total vault score was a 48.575. After two events, the Redbirds were four tenths behind the Redhawks.
On the third event, the floor exercise, Hannah Meyer began the event. She scored a 9.575 and after Marissa Stom competed, she scored a 9.550. Kim and Apples both posted excellent scores, with a 9.725 and a 9.750. And the last two competitors, Hannah Deutsch and Erica Schick, both earned a 9.825. The gymnasts posted an overall score of a 48.700.
Finally, the Redbirds moved to the balance beam, always a treacherous event to compete last and things don’t go very well at this point. Marissa Stom, Kim Genereux and Stacie Morris all fell scoring a 9.100, 8.775 and 8.500 respectively. Erica Schick posted a 9.725 despite a somewhat bobbly routine. Melissa Mann and Hannah Deutsch both posted excellent scores with a 9.800 and a 9.825. Unfortunately, the Redbirds fell apart on the last event and lost to the Redhawks. On the bright side, despite the distress on the balance beam, the Redbirds still posted a 192.925.