HEAD COACH: Bob Starkell (9th season) ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Kim Landrus (6th season)

Transcription

1 08 Women s U NIVERSITY OF I LLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS Gymnastics Contact: Eric Giovanini // (cell) // egiovan2@uiuc.edu // QUICK HITS All-American Girl: Illini freshman Allison Buckley became Illinois first NCAA All-American by earning second team honors on the balance beam with a sixth-place finish in session I of the NCAA Championships 2008 ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS SEASON WRAP-UP #15 FINAL NATIONAL RANKING 2ND PLACE AT BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS 3RD PLACE AT NCAA SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL Head Coach: Bob Starkell Associate Head Coach: Kim Landrus Assistant Coach: Amy Kruse Student Assistant: Lori Hamilton Head Athletic Trainer: Heather Hellman 2008 ILLINOIS SCHEDULE/RESULTS Date Event Result J 11 at #6 Alabama L, J 19 #17 OHIO STATE* L, J 25 at #25 Iowa W, F 2 #13 DENVER ( PINK MEET ) L, F 8 at IGI Chicago Style Invite 3rd of 4 ( ) (#9 UCLA, #11 Stanford, Washington) F 16 #22 MICHIGAN STATE* L, F 24 at #24 Iowa w/ #19 MSU 3rd of 3 ( ) F 29 at #12 Auburn L, M 8 #15 MISSOURI* L, M15 at Illinois-Chicago* W, M 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS CLASSIC 1st of 4 ( ) (UIC, Illinois State, N. Illinois) M 29 at Big Ten Championships 2nd of 7 ( ) Ann Arbor, Mich. (U of Michigan) A 12 at NCAA South Central Regional 3rd of 6 ( ) Norman, Okla. (U of Oklahoma) A at NCAA Championships Indiv. Competitors Athens, Ga. (Uof Georgia) National Rank: 15th High Score: Average Score: RQS: Home meets are in bold were held at Huff Hall Georgia On Their Minds: Buckley and sophomore Nicole Cowart both competed in the all-around at the National Championships in Athens, Ga. They are just the sixth and seventh Illini to advance to the National Championships since the NCAA began sponsoring the event in Magic #15: Illinois finished the season ranked 15th in the Gyminfo Rankings, marking the highest national ranking in program history. Making Noise in the Postseason: As a team, the Illini took second place ( ) at the Big Ten Championships, the highest finish in the conference meet since winning the competition in The Illini then took third place ( ) at the NCAA South Central Regional, the highest regional finish in program history, narrowly missing advancing as a team to the NCAA Championships for the first time. Buckley Racks-up Postseason Honors: In addition to reaching All-America status, Buckley became the second Illini in school history to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the first Illini to be named the South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year. In addition, Buckley was also honored as a first team All-Big Ten selection and was named Illinois Female Newcomer of the Year for all sports at the annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet. Crall Wins Big Ten Title: Junior Julie Crall won the 2008 Big Ten balance beam title with a career-high tying to give the Illini an individual Big Ten champion for the second consecutive season. Former Illini Cara Pomeroy won the 2007 Big Ten uneven bars title to break an eight-year title draught. Kruse Named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year: Illinois assistant coach Amy Kruse became the third member of the coaching staff to be named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year. Fellow assistant Kim Landrus won the honor back in 2005 and current head coach Bob Starkell received the accolade in THE 2008 FIGHTING ILLINI NAME YR. HT. EVENT(S) HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL CLUB TEAM Marijka Botterman Jr. 5-3 AA New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central Gym-Kinetics Allison Buckley Fr. 5-2 AA Schaumburg, Ill./Conant Gymkhana Nicole Cowart So. 5-2 AA Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove Wright's Gymnastics Julie Crall Jr. 5-2 VT,UB,BB Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy Queen City Gymnastics Melissa Fernandez Fr. 5-0 AA Eudora, Kan./Eudora KGDC Kim Kruk Jr. 5-2 AA Carol Stream, Ill./Bartlett Illinois Gymnastics Institute Michelle McGrady Sr. 5-5 VT,UB,BB Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson American Academy Krystal Melcarek Sr. 5-3 AA Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago Salto Gymnastics Lashlee Morris Fr. 5-1 AA Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg Brandy Johnson s Global Gym Academy Samantha Perino Fr. 5-3 AA Yorktown, Va./Tabb Ocean Tumblers Gymnastics Sarah Schmidt So. 5-2 AA Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead Midwest Twisters Lindsey Smith Jr. 5-0 VT,BB,FX Collinsville, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran World Class Gymnastics Laura Woolf So. 5-2 VT,UB,BB Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center HEAD COACH: Bob Starkell (9th season) ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Kim Landrus (6th season) ASSISTANT COACH: Amy Kruse (2nd Season) STUDENT ASSISTANT: Lori Hamilton (1st Season) 2008 University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 1

2 DYNAMIC DUO EXCELS AT NATIONALS Allison Buckley and Nicole Cowart both held their own at the National Championships in Georgia. Buckley competed in the afternoon session, scoring a on the balance beam to tie for sixth and earn second team All-America honors. She became the second All-American in school history, joining former Olympian Nancy Thies, and is the first to earn the accolade at the NCAA Championships (Thies was an AIAW All-Amercan on bars in 1976, before the NCAA began sponsoring women s championships). Only a small step on her dismount prevented Buckley from reaching the event finals and earning first team All-America status. Buckley also scored a on floor, but a fall on bars put a dent in her all-around score of Cowart was solid on all four events, finishing with a all-around score to finish 15th in the evening session. Her best event was the uneven bars, where she scored a Both Buckley and Cowart advanced to the NCAA Championships by scoring a at the South Central Regional to tie for third place. ILLINI FINISH THIRD AT THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL The Illini came away with its best-ever regional finish of third place by posting a team total of at the 2008 South Central Regional Championship in Norman, Okla. The Illini had a chance to earn one of the two coveted spots to nationals entering the final rotations, but fell just short. Illinois was led by freshman Allison Buckley and sophomore Nicole Cowart, who each scored a to tie for third and earn individual bids in the allaround competition to the NCAA Championship. Buckley also finished in a tie for fifth on floor with a 9.850, while sophomore Sarah Schmidt received a spot on the podium for her on bars to tie for third place. In the team race, No. 4 Alabama ( ) took the regional crown and No. 10 Oklahoma ( ) edged the Illini ( ) for the second spot and a trip to the National Collegiate Championships. No. 16 Boise State ( ), Southeast Missouri State ( ) and No. 19 Arizona State rounded out the six-team field. Following the meet, Buckley became the first Illini to be named Regional Gymnast of the Year. ILLINI TAKE SECOND AT BIG TENS Illinois started its late-season surge with a second place finish at the 2008 Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich., its highest finish since winning the competition in The Illini scored a , their top score of the season and sixth best score in school history, to finish behind No. 4 Michigan ( ) and just ahead of No. 23 Penn State ( ). No. 17 Michigan State finished fourth ( ) and was followed by No. 22 Iowa in fifth ( ), No. 25 Minnesota in sixth ( ) and Ohio State in seventh ( ). In addition to the team success, Julie Crall won the balance beam title with a career-high tying and Allison Buckley was just behind with a to tie for second, leading the Illini to a season-high team score of on the event. Sarah Schmidt garnered a third place tie on the uneven bars with a career-high tying 9.900, while Buckley and Lindsey Smith finished in a four way MEET-BY-MEET SCORING BREAKDOWN 08 SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL 1. Alabama Oklahoma ILLINOIS Boise State S.E. Missouri St Arizona State BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Michigan ILLINOIS Penn State Michigan State Iowa Minnesota Ohio State MEET RESULT TEAM VAULT BARS BEAM FLOOR at #6 Alabama L # 11 Ohio State L at #25 Iowa W #13 Denver L at IGI Chicago Style Invite 3rd of #22 Michigan State L at #24 Iowa w/ #19 Michigan State 3rd of at #12 Auburn L #15 Missouri L at Illinois-Chicago W State of Illinois Classic 1st of at Big Ten Championships 2nd of at NCAA Regional Championship 3rd of Season Average Season High Scores Regional Qualifying Score INDIVIDUAL TITLES ALLISON BUCKLEY (19) Vault (4) at UIC vs. Denver vs. Ohio State at Iowa Bars (1) vs. Denver Beam (2) State of Ill. Classic at UIC Floor (7) State of Ill. Classic at UIC vs. Missouri vs. Michigan State vs. Denver at Iowa vs. Ohio State All-Around (5) State of Ill. Classic at UIC vs. Missouri vs. Michigan State vs. Ohio State NICOLE COWART (1) Floor (1) at Iowa JULIE CRALL (7) Bars (1) State of Ill. Classic Beam (6) at Big Tens vs. Missouri at Auburn vs. Denver at Iowa vs. Ohio State SARAH SCHMIDT (4) Bars (3) at UIC vs. Missouri vs. Michigan State All-Around (1) at Iowa LINDSEY SMITH (1) Vault (1) at Auburn SINGLE SEASON EVENT TITLES (includes All-Around) Nancy Thies Nancy Thies ALLISON BUCKLEY Heather Singalewitch Denise Lamborn Denise Lamborn Heather Singalewitch Gayle Fleishmann Ashley Williams Phaedra Dixon Kara Corso University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 2

3 tie for fourth place on vault with 9.85s, to lead the team to the third best score in program history on the event. SIX GYMNASTS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN Six Illinois gymnasts were named to the Academic All-Big Ten team. Marijka Botterman, Nicole Cowart, Julie Crall, Kim Kruk, Michelle McGrady and Lindsey Smith were all honored for having at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average and earning a varsity letter in gymnastics. ILLINI VAULT INTO RECORD BOOK The Illini set four of the top-10 vault scores in school history this season, including a new record for the second consecutive season against the UIC Flames. Last year, the Illini put up a against UIC in early March, this year they did one better and totaled a on vault on March 15 against the Flames. Four Illini set or tied their career-highs on the event and another set a season-high to take the top spot in the record book. Freshman Allison Buckley led the way with a career-best to win the individual crown, while senior Michelle McGrady (CH 9.875), freshman Melissa Fernandez (CH 9.800), junior Marijka Botterman (SH 9.800), sophomore Nicole Cowart (9.775) and sophomore Sarah Schmidt (CH 9.725) all contributed to the record as well. The Illini also scored a at the Big Ten Championships, which ranks in a tie for third in the Illini record books and a against both Missouri and Denver which ties for seventh. BUCKLEY BURSTS ONTO SCENE Freshman Allison Buckley wasted no time establishing herself as one of the premier gymnasts in the Big Ten Conference and in the nation. The Schaumburg, Ill., native turned in one of the best freshmen freshman seasons in Illini history. Buckley became Illinois first NCAA All-American by earning second team honors on the balance beam at the NCAA Championships. She was honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, a first team All-Big Ten selection, the South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year and the UI Female Newcomer of the Year. She competed in the all-around in every meet on the season, capturing 19 individual titles (vault-4, bars-1, beam-2, floor-7, AA-5), which is the third-highest total in school history behind only former Olympian Nancy Thies' totals of 34 and 24 in 1976 and '77, respectively. Buckley was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week (March 19) after winning four individual titles at UIC (vault, beam, floor, AA) and nearly breaking the Illinois all-around record. Her score of was just shy of Ashley Williams record of Just a week earlier she scored a in the all-around, which equaled the second best score in school history at the time. She finished the year with three of the top five all-around scores in school history. In addition, her top score of on beam equaled the second best score on the event in school history. She finished the regular season ranked 21st in the nation on floor (9.885), 28th in the all-around (39.270), 36th on beam (9.865) and 46th on vault (9.860). CRALL-ING BACK Junior Julie Crall won the 2008 Big Ten balance beam title with a career-high tying on the final performance of the night. Crall had a successful return in 2008 after suffering a season-ending Achilles tear on March 9, Crall had been a top performer for the Illini in each of her first two seasons, earning second team All-Big Ten honors in both her freshman and sophomore campaigns, before the injury. The Cincinnati native returned stronger than ever this season, winning her first uneven bars title with a career best at the State of Illinois Classic. She finished with seven event titles this season, including six on her signature event, the balance beam, ending the year ranked 15th in the nation and fourth in the South Central Region on the event (9.875 RQS). TEAM 2008 ILLINOIS TEAM AWARDS MVP Nicole Cowart Most Outstanding Allison Buckley Most Improved Lashlee Morris Most Consistent Beam Allison Buckley Scholar-Athlete Award Melissa Fernandez Letterwinners: Marijka Botterman, Allison Buckley, Nicole Cowart, Julie Crall, Melissa Fernandez, Kim Kruk, Michelle McGrady, Krystal Melcarek, Lashlee Morris, Samantha Perino, Sarah Schmidt, Lindsey Smith, Laura Woolf ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS EVENT RQS NAT L RK REG. RK Vault Bars Beam Floor Team Total INDIVIDUAL (Top 100 National // Top 20 Reg.) GYMNAST EVENT RQS NAT L RK REG. RK Allison Buckley AA VT t 5t BB FX t 3t Nicole Cowart AA t 18 Julie Crall BB t 4t Sarah Schmidt UB t 14t GYMINFO RANKINGS NATIONAL TOP 25 (As of April 28, 2008 // Based on national & regional finish) Rank Team Super Six/Nat l/reg. Score 1 Georgia Utah Stanford Florida LSU Alabama UCLA Michigan Oklahoma Arkansas Oregon State Denver Nebraska Penn State ILLINOIS Minnesota Auburn Michigan State Ohio State Missouri Kentucky West Virginia Boise State Brigham Young Arizona SOUTH CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS Rank Team Super Six/Nat l/reg. Score 1 Oklahoma Arkansas Nebraska ILLINOIS Missouri Arizona SE Missouri Arizona State Northern Illinois Illinois-Chicago Illinois State Bold indicates 2008 Illinois opponents UI WEEK-TO-WEEK NATIONAL RANK Date Rank Ranked By Preseason 23 Poll Jan Season Ave. Jan Season Ave. Jan Season Ave. Feb Season Ave. Feb Season Ave. Feb RQS* Feb RQS* March 4 28 RQS* March RQS* March RQS* March RQS* April 1 24 RQS* Final 15 Nat/Reg. Finish/RQS * Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) takes each team s top six scores from the season, three of which must be away meets, throws out the high, then averages the remaining five scores University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 3

4 SCHMIDT, BOTTERMAN GIVE ILLINI A BOOST Sophomore Sarah Schmidt came back strong following her midseason ankle injury by finishing third on the uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships (9.900) and at the NCAA South Central Regional (9.850). She finished the season with four individual titles (3 on bars, 1 in all-around) and 12 top-3 finishes. In addition to Schmidt, Marijka Botterman also shined for the Illini toward the end of the season. Botterman made her first appearance in the all-around competition at the Big Ten Championships, posting a to finish eighth. She also finished tenth on vault and beam with a score of on each. YOUTH SERVED The 2008 season was one of the best in school history and the future certainly looks bright for even more success. At the NCAA South Central Regional, only two of 24 routines were by seniors (Krystal Melcarek s bars and Michelle McGrady s vault) and 15 of the 24 routines were by freshmen and sophomores. In addition to freshman standout Allison Buckley, the three other Illini rookies made an immediate impact. Melissa Fernandez was a constant contributor on vault, beam and floor throughout the season and was at her best towards the end of the year. Lashlee Morris was in the beam line-up in every meet before suffering a foot injury prior to the March 8 meet against Mizzou, but she returned to the event and posted a personalbest at the State of Illinois Classic. Morris also competed on bars and floor at times this season. Samantha Perino saw time in the floor line-up earlier this year, and is pushing to crack the line-up on beam next season. Sophomore Laura Woolf also made her first appearances for the Illini early this season, cracking the vault line-up on two occasions. MORE HELP IS ON THE WAY Illinois signed two student-athletes to letters of intent for the season. Kelsey Joannides of Frederick High School in Frederick, Md., and Hannah Welker of Knoch High School in Butler, Pa. each signed letters of intent with the Illini in November. Joannides competed for Frederick Gymnastics Club and Welker for Butler Gymnastics Club. TEAM RECORDS TOTAL SCORE State of Illinois Classic 3/13/ vs. Iowa 3/3/ vs. Auburn 3/9/ vs. Iowa State & NIU 2/25/ vs. Ohio State 3/6/ at Big Ten Championships 3/29/ at Texas Women s Quad 2/26/ at State of Illinois Classic 3/23/ at Illinois-Chicago 3/15/ vs. Michigan State 1/25/ vs. Ohio State 2/3/01 VAULT at Illinois-Chicago 3/15/ vs. Illinois-Chicago 3/17/ at Big Ten Championships 3/29/ vs. Iowa State & NIU 2/25/ at Texas Women s Quad 2/26/ vs. Auburn 3/9/ vs. Missouri 3/8/ vs. Denver 2/2/ State of Illinois Classic 3/13/ vs. Iowa 2/17/96 BARS at NCAA South Central Regional 4/3/ at Big Ten Championships 3/31/ at State of Illinois Classic 3/25/ vs. Penn State 1/13/ vs. Iowa State and NIU 2/25/ vs. Auburn 3/9/ State of Illinois Classic 3/13/ vs. Ohio State 3/6/ vs. Illinois State 2/28/ vs. Illinois-Chicago 2/16/01 BEAM at Big Ten Championships 3/20/ at State of Illinois Classic 3/23/ vs. Ohio State 2/3/ vs. Iowa 3/3/ vs. Auburn 3/9/ vs. Ohio State 3/12/ at UIC 2/25/ State of Illinois Classic 3/13/ vs. Ohio State 3/6/ at Big Ten Championships 3/29/ vs. Iowa State 2/14/04 TOP SCORES IN ILLINOIS HISTORY INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ALL-AROUND Ashley Williams Allison Buckley Allison Buckley 2008 Kara Kapernekas Allison Buckley 2008 Ashley Williams 2003 Phaedra Dixon Ashley Williams 2004 Kim Berres Ashley Williams 2004 Kara Kapernekas 2003 Jana Gallagher 2001 VAULT Jessica Cole 2003 Nicole Viernes Allison Buckley 2008 Allison Buckley 2008 Marijka Botterman 2007 Carissa Ericson x, last Michelle McGrady 2008 BARS Cara Pomeroy Cara Pomeroy 2007 Cara Pomeroy 2007 Cara Pomeroy Cara Pomeroy 2007 Cara Pomeroy 2007 Cara Pomeroy 2005 Ashley Williams 2004 Cara Pomeroy 2004 Cara Pomeroy 2004 Kelli Farrar 1997 Kelli Farrar 1997 Natalie Forsthoefel 1996 BEAM Stacy Redmond Allison Buckley 2008 Kara Kapernekas 2003 Kara Kapernekas 2003 Jana Gallagher 2001 Jana Gallagher 2001 Jana Gallagher 2001 Jana Gallagher 2001 Kim Berres x, last by Julie Crall 2008 FLOOR at State of Illinois Classic 3/16/ vs. Iowa 3/8/ vs. Ohio State 3/6/ vs. Ball State 2/21/ vs. Iowa State 2/14/ vs. Ohio State 2/3/ vs. Iowa 3/3/ at Ohio State 1/31/ vs. Michigan State 1/25/ vs. Penn State 2/13/99 FLOOR Kara Kapernekas 2004 Kara Kapernekas 2003 Amanda Kaufman 2003 Phaedra Dixon Lauren Newcomb 2004 Kara Kapernekas 2004 Carissa Ericson 2000 Carissa Ericson x, last by Allison Buckley University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 4

5 MARIJKA BOTTERMAN // JUNIOR Vault (3/22/08) (3/9/07) Bars (3/15/08) (3/25/07) Beam (3/29/08) (2/25/06) Floor (3/15/08) (3/15/08) All-Around (3/29/08) (3/9/07) ALLISON BUCKLEY // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Vault (2x, last 3/15/08) Bars (2/2/08) Beam (3/15/08) Floor (2/2/08) All-Around (3/15/08) NICOLE COWART // SOPHOMORE Event Season Career High Vault (3/8/08) (2x, last 3/17/07) Bars (2x, last 4/12/08) (3/31/07) Beam (2/2/08) (2x, last 3/11/07) Floor (2/29/08) (2x, last 3/17/07) All-Around (4/12/08) (3/11/07) JULIE CRALL // JUNIOR Vault (3/4/07) Bars (3/22/08) (3/22/08) Beam (2x, last on 3/29/08) (3x, last 3/29/08) Floor (1/27/07) All-Around (4/8/06) MELISSA FERNANDEZ // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Vault (2x, last 4/12/08) Beam (3/8/08) Floor (4/12/08) KIM KRUK // JUNIOR Vault (1/11/08) (2x, last 3/9/07) Bars (1/27/07) Beam (3/31/06) Floor (3/18/06) All-Around (3/18/06) TEAM TOTAL at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) at South Central Regional (4/12/08) vs. Missouri (3/8/08) vs. Denver (2/2/08) VAULT at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) vs. Missouri (3/8/08) vs. Denver (2/2/08) at South Central Regional (4/12/08) State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) UNEVEN BARS State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) at South Central Regional (4/12/08) vs. Missouri (3/8/08) vs. Denver (2/2/08) at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) BALANCE BEAM at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) at IGI Chicago Style (2/8/08) at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) at South Central Regional (4/12/08) vs. Michigan State (2/16/08) FLOOR EXERCISE State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) at South Central Regional (4/12/08) vs. Missouri (3/8/08) at IGI Chicago Style (2/8/08) TOP SCORES OF 2008 SEASON AND CAREER HIGHS MICHELLE MCGRADY // SENIOR Vault (3/15/08) (2x, last 3/15/08) Beam (2/16/08) (2/16/08) Floor (1/29/06) KRYSTAL MELCAREK // SENIOR Vault (1/29/05) Bars (2/2/08) (2/26/05) Floor (3/17/07) LASHLEE MORRIS // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Bars (2/2/08) Beam (3x, last 3/22/08) Floor (2/8/08) SAMANTHA PERINO // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Floor (2/24/08) INDIVIDUAL ALL-AROUND Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) Allison Buckley vs. Missouri (3/8/08) Allison Buckley.....State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) Allison Buckley at Iowa w/ MSU (2/24/08) VAULT Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) Allison Buckley vs. Denver (2/2/08) Michelle McGrady at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) Allison Buckley at Iowa (1/25/08) UNEVEN BARS Sarah Schmidt...at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) Sarah Schmidt at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) Sarah Schmidt...at South Central Regional (4/12/08) Julie Crall State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) Sarah Schmidt vs. Missouri (3/8/08) BALANCE BEAM Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) Julie Crall......at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) Allison Buckley.....State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) Julie Crall vs. Denver (2/2/08) FLOOR EXERCISE Allison Buckley vs. Denver (2/2/08) Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) Allison Buckley vs. Missouri (3/8/08) Allison Buckley.....State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) Allison Buckley at Iowa w/ MSU (2/24/08) Allison Buckley at IGI Chicago Syle (2/8/08) SARAH SCHMIDT // SOPHOMORE Event Season Career High Vault (3/15/08) (3/15/08) Bars (3/29/08) (2x, last on 3/29/08) Beam (1/25/08) (2x, last 1/25/08) Floor (3x, last 3/8/08) (5x, last 3/8/08) All-Around (1/25/08) (1/25/08) LINDSEY SMITH // JUNIOR Vault (2x, last on 3/29/08) (3x, last 3/29/08) Floor (2/2/08) (2/2/08) LAURA WOOLF // SOPHOMORE Vault (2x, last 2/29/08) (2x, last 2/29/08) TEAM 2008 University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 5 Total State of Illinois Classic 3/13/04 Vault vs Illinois-Chicago 3/15/08 Bars at NCAA South Central Regional 4/3/04 Beam at Big Ten Championships 3/20/04 Floor at State of Illinois Classic 3/16/01 INDIVIDUAL ILLINOIS RECORDS AA Ashley Williams 2004 Vault Jessica Cole 2003 Nicole Viernes 1996 Bars 10.0 Cara Pomeroy 2004 Beam Stacy Redmond 1995 Floor Kara Kapernekas 2003 & 2004 Amanda Kaufman 2003 Phaedra Dixon 2000

6 FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDATES MARIJKA BOTTERMAN ALLISON BUCKLEY 5-3 // Junior // All-Around 5-2 // Freshman // All-Around New Lenox, Ill. // Lincoln-Way Central HS Schaumburg, Ill. // Conant HS Club: Gym-Kinetics Club: Gymkhana At her best at the end of the season, finishing 10th in the all-around at the South Central Regional Finished eighth in the all-around (39.025) and 10th on vault (9.800) and beam (9.800) at Big Tens Took second on vault (9.825) in the four-team State of Illinois Classic on March 22 Placed second on bars (9.825) and floor with a career-high at Illinois Chicago 2007 Academic All-Big Ten selection Placed sixth on vault at the 2006 Big Ten Championships with a score of Has recorded nine career individual titles (4 on vault, 1 on bars, 4 in the all-around) at Alabama Ohio State (2) (3) -- at Iowa Denver (3) at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St (3) (3) at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago (2) (2) -- State of Illinois Classic (2) (4) at Big Ten Championships (10) (10) (8) at NCAA Regional (10) Average Season High Career High NICOLE COWART 5-2 // Sophomore // All-Around Greenwood, Ind. // Center Grove HS Club: Wright s Gymnastics Second Team All-American on the Balance Beam South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten Named the UI Female Newcomer of the Year among all sports at the annual Scholar-Athlete banquet Had four top-10 finishes at the Big Ten Championships (BB-2nd, VT-4th, AA-4th, FX-7th) Has 19 individual titles on the season, the third-highest total in school history Has three of the top-5 all-around scores in school history with scores of , and Named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on March 19 after posting the second best all-around score (39.450) and tying the second best beam score (9.925) in school history en route to winning four individual titles (vault, beam, floor, all-around) at Illinois-Chicago Finished the regular season in the national top-50 on four events (FX-21st, AA-28th, BB-36th, VT-46th) at Alabama Ohio State (1) (3) (1) (1) at Iowa (1) (3) (1) Denver (1) (1) (1) (3) at IGI Chicago Style Invite (9) (2) (5) (7) Michigan St (2) (1) (1) at Iowa w/michigan St (2) (4) (2) (2) at Auburn Missouri (3) (3) (1) (1) at Illinois-Chicago (1) (1) (1) (1) State of Illinois Classic (4) (4) (1) (1) (1) at Big Ten Championships (4) (2) (7) (4) at NCAA Regional (5) (3) at NCAA Championships (14) Average Season High Career High JULIE CRALL 5-2 // Junior // VT,UB,BB Cincinnati, Ohio // Ursuline Academy HS Club: Queen City Gymnastics National qualifier in the all-around Finished third in the all-around with a at the NCAA South Central Regional Competed all-around in every meet on the season Claimed one event title (floor) and 15 top-3 finishes Finished second on floor (9.850) and in the all-around with a season-high at Auburn 2007 First Team All-Big Ten selection Placed in the top ten in four events at the 2007 NCAA South Central Regional Tied for fourth in the all-around (39.000) and tied for eighth on bars (9.850) at 2007 Big Tens Has 11 career individual titles at Alabama (3) Ohio State (3) (2) (3) at Iowa (1) (2) Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite (10) Michigan St (2) (3) at Iowa w/michigan St (2) (5) at Auburn (2) (2) Missouri (2) at Illinois-Chicago (3) State of Illinois Classic (4) (3) (2) (5) at Big Ten Championships (10) at NCAA Regional (3) at NCAA Championships Average Season High Career High Big Ten Beam Champion with a career-high tying Finished eighth on uneven bars with a at the NCAA South Central Regional Won seven event titles, six on beam and one on bars Set a career-high on bars to finish first at the State of Illinois Classic Name a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in each of her first two seasons Tied for third on beam at the 2006 Big Ten Championships Has 15 career event titles Was named Illinois top female newcomer among all varsity sports in University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 6 at Alabama Ohio State (1) at Iowa (1) Denver (1) at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn (1) Missouri (3) (1) at Illinois-Chicago (3) State of Illinois Classic (1) at Big Ten Championships (1) at NCAA Regional (8) Average Season High Career High

7 FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDATES MELISSA FERNANDEZ KIM KRUK 5-0 // Freshman // All-Around 5-2 // Junior // All-Around Eudora, Kan. // Eudora HS Carol Stream, Ill. // Bartlett HS Club: KGDC Club: Illinois Gymnastics Institute Performed her best gymnastics at the end of the season, equalling two career-highs at the NCAA South Central Regional meet Placed seventh on beam with a at the South Central Regional Competed on vault and beam in every meet this season and floor in 12 of 13 meets Scored a personal-best on beam to take third against Missouri Had a season-high score of on vault and floor Competed on vault in the first two meets of the season before suffering a foot injury Was the team s alternate on bars Tied for fourth on beam at the 2007 Big Ten Championships with a career-high Was named an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2007 Has claimed eight career titles (2 on bars, 2 on floor and 4 on all-around) at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri (3) at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional (7) Average Season High Career High MICHELLE MCGRADY 5-5 // Senior // VT,UB,BB Buffalo Grove, Ill. // Stevenson HS Club: American Academy Competed on vault in every meet one the season and on beam six times Scored a career-high on vault to take second at Illinois-Chicago Finished in a tie for 10th on vault (9.800) at the Big Ten Championships Posted a personal-best on beam against Michigan State Tied for second on vault at the 2007 South Central Regional with a Competed on vault in every meet in the last two seasons Was named an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2006 and 2007 Has seven career individual titles (4 on vault and 3 on floor) at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High KRYSTAL MELCAREK 5-3 // Senior // All-Around Mukwonago, Wis. // Mukwonago HS Club: Salto Gymnastics 2008 HIGHLIGTS Competed in the lead-off position on bars in every meet on the season Hit on all 13 bar routines on the year Scored a season-high on bars to finish third vs. Denver CAREER HIGHLIGTS Hit on 50 of 51 bar routines in her career, including the last 29 straight Won two-career event titles, both on bars at Alabama Ohio State (3) at Iowa Denver (3) at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago (2) State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships (10) at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 7 at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver (3) at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High

8 FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDATES LASHLEE MORRIS SAMANTHA PERINO 5-1 // Freshman // All-Around 5-3 // Freshman // All-Around Leesburg, Fla. // Leesburg HS Yorktown, Va. // Tabb HS Club: Brandy Johnson s Global Gymnastics Academy Club: Ocean Tumblers Gymnastics Competed on beam in 12 of 13 meets this season, missing only the Missouri meet due to a foot injury Set a personal-best score of on beam to take third in the State of Illinois Classic Also competed on bars and floor on the season with personal-best scores of on bars and on floor Competed twice on floor this season for the Illini with a personal-best at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic (3) at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High SARAH SCHMIDT 5-2 // Sophomore // All-Around Hartland, Wis. // Arrowhead HS Club: Midwest Twisters Finished in a tie for third on bars at the NCAA South Central Regional with a Tied for third on the uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships with a career-high tying Competed on bars in 11 of 13 meets this season, missing two due to a sprained ankle Claimed four individual titles (3 on bars and 1 in the all-around) and 12 top-3 finishes Won the all-around title at Iowa with a career-high Tied for second on the uneven bars at the 2007 Big Ten Championships with a career-high Has won eight career individual titles (5 on bars, 2 on floor 1 in the all-around) Was named the team s Most Improved Gymnast in 2007 at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High LINDSEY SMITH 5-0 // Junior // VT,BB,FX Collinsville, Ill. // Metro-East Lutheran HS Club: World Class Gymnastics Tied for fourth on vault at the Big Ten Championships with a career-high tying Competed on floor in every meet this season, taking three top-3 finishes on the event Scored a season-high on floor at the State of Illinois Classic to place second Won her first-career event title at Auburn with a career-high on vault Selected as Illinois Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree Finished ninth overall on vault with a at the 2006 NCAA South Central Regional Championships Was named a 2007 Academic All-Big Ten Selection at Alabama Ohio State (3) -- at Iowa (2) (2) (3) (1) Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St (1) at Iowa w/michigan St (4) at Auburn (2) Missouri (1) (2) -- at Illinois-Chicago (1) State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships (3) (10) -- at NCAA Regional (3) Average Season High Career High University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 8 at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan St at Auburn (1) Missouri (3) -- at Illinois-Chicago (2) -- State of Illinois Classic (2) -- at Big Ten Championships (4) at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High

9 Competed twice on vault on the season LAURA WOOLF 5-2 // Sophomore // VT,UB,BB Deerfield, Ill. // Deerfield HS Club: Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDATES at Alabama Ohio State at Iowa Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite Michigan St at Iowa w/michigan ST at Auburn Missouri at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional Average Season High Career High University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 9

10 2008 ILLINOIS ROSTER Marijka Botterman - Jr. Allison Buckley - Fr. Nicole Cowart - So. Julie Crall - Jr. Melissa Fernandez - Fr. Kim Kruk - Jr. Michelle McGrady - Sr. Krystal Melcarek - Sr. Lashlee Morris - Fr. Samantha Perino - Fr. Sarah Schmidt - So. Lindsey Smith - Jr. Laura Woolf - So. Bob Starkell Head Coach Kim Landrus Associate Head Coach Amy Kruse Assistant Coach Lori Hamilton Student Assistant 2008 University of Illinois Women s Gymnastics Season Wrap-up // 10