Season Injuries

Well, the season is officially over for the Illinois State University gymnastics team and it was a rough year. Three gymnasts suffered season-ending injuries this year; Robin Weissman tore most of the ligaments in her knee and Kim Caron and Jess Prousa both tore their Achilles tendons, all three girls required surgery.
The season was hampered with other injuries as well. Tori Sarantakis, although she did come back to compete in the final few meets, suffered a sprained ankle that took her out of the event where the Redbirds used her the most, the vault. Elise Gray also had a variety of injuries, ranging from her knees to her ankles, thanks to her vaults. Melissa Mann had problems with her collarbone after swinging bars and also sustained a sprained ankle on the balance beam.
Two of the all-arounders for the Redbirds were also taken out at the end of the season. The week before the State of Illinois Classic, Kim Genereux was vaulting and landed awkwardly on one of the mats, spraining her ankle. She was unable to compete in the all-around at state or conference, but was at least able to compete bars at SEMO. Erica Schick also had some trouble toward the end of season that ended up costing her a competing position at the NCAA Regionals. She was competing her dismount of bars and landed too far back on her heels, bruising them both. Schick competed beam and unfortunately fell, but did not compete any other events that day. At the conference competition, Erica was also able to compete bars along with Kim. Both had excellent routines.
All in all, the Redbirds could have used some of the girls they lost, but still did exceptionally well this season considering all of the injuries.