Meet at Ohio State not
necessarily a drawback
by Tom Ward
Daily Illini sports reporter
Flying high after their home victory last
Saturday against Michigan State, the Illini
women’s gymnastics team (3-4, 1-1) will
travel to Ohio State’s St. John’s Arena
this weekend to take on the Buckeyes (5-4, 1-0).
After suffering a loss to Penn State two weeks
ago, Illinois head coach Bob Starkell set a goal
for the women: To earn 193 points in the Michigan
State meet. The women responded, posting a
193.475-190.775 victory at Huff Hall.
Starkell said the team was “glad to be
performing back in Champaign” versus
Michigan State.
The win was the first in conference this season
for the Illini, and it was also the first Big Ten
victory as head coach at Illinois for Starkell,
who took over this season following the departure
of Lynn Brueckman.
Like Illinois, Ohio State (5-4, 1-0) is coming
off a big win at home. The Buckeyes squeaked by
North Carolina State, 194.6-194.075, last
weekend.
The Buckeye women are led by a trio of
underclassmen. Sophomores Jill Tucker and Mary
Beth Doerr, have the team high scores on vault
and uneven bars, while junior Lindsey Vagedes is
the high scorer on beam.
Ohio State head coach Larry Cox has led the
Buckeyes to five Big Ten Titles along with six
NCAA Regional titles in his 20 years in Columbus.
The Buckeyes have a 7-6 all-time series edge
against the Illini.
According to Starkell, Illinois’ key
gymnasts for this meet are junior Phaedra Dixon
and freshman Karen Hawley.
Leading the team in the all-around in both Big
Ten meets so far, Dixon has emerged as the leader
of the young team.
“Yeah, but because I’m a junior.
It’s not because of my performance
score-wise,” Dixon said.
Starkell said the crowd will be a factor this
weekend, because the meet includes both the
women’s and men’s teams.
Although Starkell said he feels the crowd will
give the Buckeyes an edge because it’s
always “hard to beat them at their
house,” the women on his team are more
optimistic.
Freshman Jana Gallagher thinks the crowd will be
a factor, but “in a good way.”
Freshman Michelle Buranich agrees, claiming the
crowd “pumps her up more.” |
 Jeannine Kropski The
Daily Illini
Mina Moradi does a split leap on the beam
during the meet on Jan. 29 against Michigan State
University. The Illini won 193.475 -190.775.
|
