ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS DOMINATE

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1 ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS DOMINATE 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 42

2 2008 Season-In-Review Big Ten Conference NCAA Regional Championships Individual Records Team Records National and Regional Honors Big Ten Honors Academic Honors Team Honors Event Title Leaders All-Time Letterwinners Media Information ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 43

3 SEASON-IN-REVIEW The Fighting Illini women s gymnastics team enjoyed one of its best seasons in school history under the guidance of head coach Bob Starkell. A second place finish at the Big Ten Championships that included a Big Ten champion, a third place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional, two individual qualifiers to the NCAA Championships, and the program s first NCAA All-American highlighted a season that culminated in a 15th national ranking at year s end, the highest in school history. At the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich., junior Julie Crall gave the Illini a Big Ten champion for the second consecutive year by winning the balance beam title with a career-high tying Freshman Allison Buckley also had an impressive showing for the Illini, posting four top-10 finishes including a second place finish behind Crall on beam (9.875) and fourth place finishes on vault (9.850) and in the all-around competition (39.200). The performances of Crall and Buckley, along with Sarah Schmidt s career-high tying on the uneven bars to garner third place, led the Illini to a runner-up finish behind host- Michigan and season-high score of The second place finish by Illinois was the highest conference championship finish since the Illini won the Big Ten crown back in At the conclusion of the meet, Buckley was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, joining (2002) as the only Illini to earn the accolade. Two weeks later at the South Central Regional in Norman, Okla., Buckley and sophomore Nicole Cowart tied for third place in the all-around competition with s to qualify as individuals to the NCAA Championships. The duo led the Illini to a third place team finish, the highest regional finish in program history, despite narrowly missing advancing as a team to the NCAA Championships. Schmidt did her part once again in the postseason, scoring a to tie for third on bars, in front of Crall and Cowart, who tied for eighth (9.825), while freshman Melissa Fernandez took seventh (9.800) on beam. Following the competition, Buckley became the first Illini to be named South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, and Amy Kruse was named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year to join fellow assistant coach Kim Landrus (2005) and current head coach Bob Starkell (1998) as the only Illinois recipients of the award. At the 2008 NCAA Championships in Athens, Georgia, Buckley and Cowart both held their own. Buckley scored a on the balance beam to tie for sixth and earn second team All-America honors on the event. Cowart was solid on all four events, finishing with a all-around score to finish 15th in her session. The 2008 Illini squad left their mark in the team record books. They recorded four of the top-10 vault scores in school history, including a new record of at UIC, moving past the standard set exactly one year earlier against the Flames (49.125). The Illini also set two of the top-10 team scores, including the sixthbest score in program history at the Big Ten Championships, which was aided by the third-highest vault score (49.100) and 10th-best beam score (49.050). Allison Buckley received several honors for her success during the 2008 season, including 2nd team All-American on the balance beam, South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Buckley established herself as one of the premier gymnasts in the Big Ten Conference and in the nation after turning in one of the best freshman seasons in Illinois history. Buckley posted three of the top five all-around scores in the UI record book, including scores of and that rank second and third, respectively, just behind record of She also recorded top- 10 scores on vault, beam, and floor, including the second-highest beam score (9.925) and the third-highest vault score (9.900 twice). She became Illinois first NCAA All-American and 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 University of Illinois Female Newcomer of the Year. Buckley captured 19 individual titles on the year, 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. Crall also had a remarkable year following a season-ending Achilles injury in In addition to her Big Ten Championship title, she won an individual crown in seven of 13 meets on the season, including six on her signature event, the balance beam. She also won her first uneven bars title with a career best at the State of Illinois Classic. She ended the year ranked 15th in the nation and fourth in the South Central Region on the balance beam. Other verterans like Marijka Botterman and Lindsey Smith also played big roles in the Illini s success. Botterman finished in the top-10 in the all-around at both the Big Ten and Regional Championships, while Smith was a regular in the vault and floor line-ups, placing fourth at the conference meet on vault with a Seniors Krystal Melcarek and were regular contributors on their specialty events, Melcarek on bars and McGrady on vault. In addition to Buckley, several young Illini were able to gain experience and make their presence felt throughout the season. Fernandez was a constant contributor on three events and was at her best towards the end of the season. Lashlee Morris was in the beam line-up nearly every meet, posting a personal-best at the State of Illinois Classic. Illinois took second at the Big Ten Championships, its highest finish since winning the title in TEAM AWARDS MVP: Nicole Cowart Most Outstanding: Allison Buckley Most Improved: Lashlee Morris Most Consistent Beam: Allison Buckley Scholar-Athlete: Melissa Fernandez 44 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

4 2008 RESULTS (6-10 overall / 2nd at Big Ten Championships / 3rd at South Central Regional) Date Opponent Result Score THE RECORD BOOK Jan. 11 at #6 Alabama L Jan.19 #17 OHIO STATE L Jan. 25 at #25 Iowa W Feb. 2 #13 DENVER ( PINK MEET ) L Feb. 8 at IGI Chicago Style Invite 3rd of 4 UCLA , Stanford , Illinois , Washington (#9 UCLA, #11 Stanford, Washington) Feb. 16 #22 MICHIGAN STATE L Feb. 24 at #24 Iowa w/ #19 MSU 3rd of 3 Iowa , Michigan State , Illinois Feb. 29 at #12 Auburn L March 8 #15 MISSOURI L March 15 at Illinois-Chicago W March 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS CLASSIC 1st of 4 Illinois , Illinois-Chicago (UIC, Illinois State, N. Illinois) Northern Illinois , Illinois State March 29 at Big Ten Championships 2nd of 7 Michigan , Illinois , Penn State Ann Arbor, Mich. (U of Michigan) Michigan State , Iowa , Minnesota , Ohio State April 12 at NCAA South Central Regional 3rd of 6 Alabama , Oklahoma , Illinois Norman, Okla. (U of Oklahoma) Boise State , S.E. Missouri State , Arizona State Apr NCAA Championships N/A Allison Buckley and Nicole Cowart competed as individuals in the all-around competition SEASON SCORES Opponent Team Vault Bars Beam Floor at #6 Alabama #17 Ohio State at #25 Iowa #13 Denver at IGI Chicago Style Invite #22 Michigan State at #24 Iowa w/ #19 Michigan State at #12 Auburn #15 Missouri at Illinois-Chicago State of Illinois Classic at Big Ten Championships at NCAA Regional Championship Season Average Season High Scores Regional Qualifying Score TEAM BESTS Team Score 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) 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) 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) 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 45

5 ALL-TIME CHAMPIONS 2008 Michigan Michigan Minnesota Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Minnesota Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Minnesota ILLINOIS Minnesota Minnesota Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Michigan BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS MARCH 29, 2008 // CRISLER ARENA // ANN ARBOR, MICH. CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY Team Titles Last Ind.* Michigan Ohio State Minnesota ILLINOIS Iowa 0-11 Michigan State 0-9 Penn State 0-16 Wisconsin# 0-3 Indiana@ 0-0 * Total Individual Champions # Program discontinued in Program discontinued in 1983 Pl. Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total 1. Michigan ILLINOIS Penn State Michigan State Iowa Minnesota Ohio State CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS Vault 10.0 Katie Rowland, PSU 2003 Beth Wymer, Mich Heather Kabnick, Mich 1995 Beth Wymer, Mich Uneven Bars 10.0 Elise Ray, Mich Nikki Peters, Mich Nikki Peters, Mich Nikki Peters, Mich Balance Beam 10.0 Nikki Smith, PSU 2000 Floor Exercise Sarah Cain, Mich Sarah Cain, Mich Nikki Peters, Mich Heather Kabnick, Mich All-Around Elise Ray, Mich Team Score Michigan 2000 Allison Buckley was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first team All-Big Ten INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS Vault: Brandi Personett, Penn State Bars: Sarah Curtis, Michigan Beam: JULIE CRALL, ILLINOIS Floor: Kylie Botterman, Michigan Brandi Personett, Penn State AA: Brandi Personett, Penn State Gymnast of the Year Lindsey Bruck, Michigan Freshman of the Year ALLISON BUCKLEY, ILLINOIS Coach of the Year Larissa Libby, Iowa & Bev Plocki, Michigan 2008 ALL-BIG TEN TEAMS FIRST TEAM SECOND TEAM Allison Buckley, ILL Kelsey Knutson, MICH Jenifer Simbhudas, Iowa Katie Lieberman, MICH Becky Bernard, MICH Kari Pearce, MICH Kylee Botterman, MICH Trish Wilson, MICH Lindsey Bruck, MICH Rochelle Robinson, MSU Sarah Curtis, MICH Rebecca Best, OSU Rhiannon Banda-Scott, MSU Kaylan Clevinger, OSU Nicole Curler, MSU Maalika Moore-Thomas, OSU Carmelina Carabajal, MINN Alexandra Brockway, PSU Brandi Personett, PSU Aslynn Satterfield, PSU Julie Crall won the 2008 Big Ten Balance Beam title. 46 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

6 ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS Marijka Botterman Speech Communications 3.17 Nicole Cowart Business Administration SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS APRIL 12, 2008 // LLOYD NOBLE CENTER // NORMAN, OKLAHOMA TEAM RESULTS Julie Crall Business Administration 3.25 Kim Kruk Spanish/Pre-med 3.10 Pl. Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total 1. Alabama** Oklahoma** ILLINOIS Boise State S.E. Missouri St Arizona State **Advanced to NCAA Championships Accountancy 3.55 Lindsey Smith Community Health 3.48 EVENT CHAMPIONS Vault: Morgan Dennis, Alabama Bars: Kassi Price, Alabama Beam: Kassi Price, Alabama Brittany Magee, Alabama FX: Morgan Dennis, Alabama Kiara Redmond, Oklahoma ALL-AROUND RESULTS 1. Morgan Dennis, Alabama Ricki Lebegern, Alabama Allison Buckley, Illinois* Nicole Cowart, Illinois* 5. Kiara Redmond, Oklahoma Sandra Blake, SEMO The Fighting Illini on the podium at the 2008 South Central Regional Championships in Norman, Okla ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 47

7 INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ALL-AROUND vs. Ball State, Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago, Allison Buckley vs. Missouri, 2008 Kara Kapernekas at State of Illinois Classic, Allison Buckley State of Illinois Classic, 2008 vs. Minnesota/UIC, 2003 Phaedra Dixon vs. Ohio State, State of Illinois Classic, 2004 Kim Berres vs. SEMO, at NCAA South Central Regional, 2004 Kara Kapernekas vs. Iowa, 2003 vs. Iowa, 2001 is the Illinois All-Around record holder. VAULT Jessica Cole at State of Illinois Classic, 2003 Nicole Viernes vs. Florida & Iowa State, Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago, 2008 Allison Buckley vs. Denver, 2008 Marijka Botterman vs. Auburn, 2007 vs. Iowa, Allison Buckley vs. Denver, 2008 Marijka Botterman vs. Illinois-Chicago, 2007 Nicole Cowart vs. Illinois-Chicago, 2007 Nicole Cowart at Michigan, 2007 vs. Maryland, 2006 Marijka Botterman at UIC, 2006 Lauren Newcomb at Illinois State, 2005 Lauren Newcomb at Texas Women s Quad, 2005 Kara Kapernekas State of Illinois Classic, 2004 Danye Botterman vs. Iowa State, 2004 Nicole Viernes at Big Ten Championships, 1997 Nicole Viernes State of Illinois Classic, 1996 BARS at NCAA South Central Regional, at Big Ten Championships, 2007 at State of Illinois Classic, 2007 at Texas Women s Quad, vs. Auburn, 2007 vs. Iowa State & Northern Illinois, 2007 at State of Illinois Classic, 2005 at NCAA South Central Regional, 2004 State of Illinois Classic, 2004 vs. Ball State, 2004 Kelli Farrar at State of Illinois Classic, 1997 Kelli Farrar vs. Iowa, 1997 at NIT, 1996 BEAM Stacy Redmond vs. SEMO, Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago, 2008 Kara Kapernekas at State of Illinois Classic, 2003 Kara Kapernekas at SEMO, 2003 vs. Illinois State, 2001 vs. Ohio State, 2001 vs. Iowa, 2001 vs. Cal. State-Fullerton, 2001 Kim Berres at Big Ten Championships, Julie Crall at Big Ten Championships, 2008 Allison Buckley State of Illinois Classic, 2008 Julie Crall vs. Denver, 2008 Julie Crall vs. Auburn, 2007 vs. Iowa, 2007 at UIC, 2006 vs. Ball State, 2004 at Ohio State Triangular, 2004 at Ohio State Triangular, 2004 Amanda Kaufman at State of Illinois Classic, 2003 at State of Illinois Classic, 2002 Gina Wiechmann vs. Ohio State, 2001 Gina Wiechmann vs. Ohio State, 1999 Gina Wiechmann vs. Illinois State, 1998 Gina Wiechmann vs. SEMO, 1998 Kim Berres vs. SEMO, 1999 Kim Berres at State of Illinois Classic, 1999 Kim Berres at State of Illinois Classic, 1998 Kim Berres vs. Ohio State, 1998 Kim Berres vs. Illinois State, 1998 Kim Berres at State of Illinois Classic, 1997 Becky Ashton vs. Ohio State, 1997 Kim Berres at NIT, 1996 Nicole Ward vs. SEMO, 1995 FLOOR Kara Kapernekas vs. Ball State, 2004 Kara Kapernekas vs. Iowa, 2003 Amanda Kaufman vs. Iowa, 2003 Phaedra Dixon at State of Illinois Classic, Allison Buckley vs. Denver, 2008 Lauren Newcomb State of Illinois Classic, 2004 Kara Kapernekas vs. Iowa State, 2004 at State of Illiniois Classic, 2000 vs. Penn State, Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago, 2008 Allison Buckley vs. Missouri, 2008 vs. Ball State, 2004 Kara Kapernekas at Ohio State Triangular, 2004 Amanda Kaufman at State of Illinois Classic, 2003 Michelle Mesik vs. Iowa, 2001 vs. Ohio State, 2001 vs. UIC, 2001 Kim Berres vs. Penn State, 1999 Kim Berres vs. Ohio State, 1999 Phaedra Dixon vs. Minnesota, 1999 Phaedra Dixon vs. Ohio State, 1999 Gina Wiechmann at State of Illinois Classic, 1998 Kim Berres vs. SEMO, 1998 Kim Berres vs. Iowa, 1997 *bold indicates athletes on roster 48 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS scored the only 10.0 in school history on bars at the 2004 South Central Regional.

8 TEAM RECORDS TOTAL SCORE State of Illinois Classic 3/13/ vs. Iowa 3/3/ vs. Auburn 3/9/ vs. Iowa St. & 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/ 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 St. & 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/ vs. Penn State 1/13/ at Big Ten Championships 3/31/ at State of Illinois Classic 3/25/ vs. Iowa St. & 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 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 The 2004 Fighting Illini women s gymnastics team set the school record of to win the State of Illinois Classic. ALL-TIME TEAM RECORDS Year Duals Big Ten Regional Coach nd 3rd Bob Starkell rd 4th Bob Starkell th 4th Bob Starkell th 6th Bob Starkell th 5th Bob Starkell th -- Bob Starkell th -- Bob Starkell th -- Bob Starkell th -- Bob Starkell th 5th Lynn Brueckman th 6th Lynn Brueckman th -- Lynn Brueckman th -- Lynn Brueckman th -- Lynn Brueckman th -- Lynn Brueckman th -- Bev Mackes th -- Bev Mackes T-4th -- Bev Mackes st 5th Bev Mackes th 5th Bev Mackes rd 7th Bev Mackes th 4th Bev Mackes th -- Bev Mackes th 4th Bev Mackes T-4th 4th Bev Mackes rd 4th Bev Mackes th* 5th Bev Mackes th* 6th Bev Mackes nd* 4th Bev Mackes nd* 8th Bev Mackes rd* 9th Bev Mackes st* 5th Allison Milburn st* 7th Allison Milburn 1975 n/a 4th* -- Kim Musgrave 1974 n/a n/a* -- Kim Musgrave *Women s championships were not officially recognized by the Big Ten until ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 49

9 NATIONAL & REGIONAL HONORS ALL-AMERICANS 1976 Nancy Thies, UB (AIAW) 2008 Allison Buckley, BB (2nd Team) INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL QUALIFIERS 1976 Nancy Thies, AA 1977 Patty Carmichael, AA Nancy Thies, AA 1979 Gayle Fleischmann, AA 1981 Heidi Helmke, AA 1982 Heidi Helmke, AA Karen Brems, AA 1987 Denise Lamborn, AA 2004, UB, AA 2008 Allison Buckley, AA Nicole Cowart, AA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS 1976 Nancy Thies, BB, FX, AA 1977 Nancy Thies, V, FX, BB, AA 2004, UB REGIONAL GYMNAST OF THE YEAR 2008 Allison Buckley ALL-REGIONAL SELECTIONS 1976 Nancy Thies 1977 Nancy Thies 1979 Gayle Fleischmann 1980 Mary Charpentier 1983 Heidi Helmke Luann Roberts 1984 Allison Garrity 1986 Luann Roberts INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL QUALIFIERS 1986 Laura Hicks (AA) Allison Garrity (AA) 1995 Kelli Farrar (AA) Stacy Redmond (AA) Nicole Ward (AA) 2000 Phaedra Dixon (AA) (AA) (FX) (BB) 2001 (AA) (V, FX) 2002 (AA) (AA) 2003 Kara Kapernekas (AA) (AA) NIT CHAMPIONS 1996 Kim Berres, BB 1996, UB COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM 1996 Tracey Althans, BB, FX 1996 Kim Berres, V, BB, AA 1996 Kelli Farrar, UB 1996, UB 1996 Kari Karubas, FX AMERICAN AWARD FINALIST (senior female gymnast who has shown competitive, leadership, academic and community skills during career) 2007 REGIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR 2005 Bob Starkell 2007 Bob Starkell REGIONAL ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR 1998 Bob Starkell 2005 Kim (Mazza) Landrus 2008 Amy Kruse Nicole Cowart (left) and Allison Buckley (right) became just the sixth and seventh Illini to advance to the NCAA Championships, where Buckley became Illinois first NCAA All-American. Amy Kruse was named the 2008 South Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year and Allison Buckley was named the 2008 South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year. NANCY THIES, 79 OLYMPIAN // NINE-TIME BIG TEN CHAMPION // ALL-AMERICAN Nancy Thies (Marshall) is without a doubt the most decorated gymnast in Illinois history. Born in Urbana, Thies competed just two seasons for the U of I, winning nine Big Ten titles, seven regional titles and earning All-America status on the uneven bars. She was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Year in 1976 and 77, in addition to being named the U of I Female Athlete of the Year in 77. In 1979, she earned a bachelor s degree from the university in history and journalism. Prior to attending Illinois, Thies competed at the 1972 Munich Olympic games and helped the United States to a fourth-place finish, the highest a U.S. team had finished in modern gymnastics history. At those Olympics, Thies became the first person to perform the back somersault on the beam in Olympic competition. During her international career, she won seven medals and two national titles, one on vault and beam. Following her gymnastics career, Thies worked as a gymnastics commentator for NBC sports for seven years, while also working as a journalist and author. Additionally, she was an active member of the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF) as both a member for the Executive Committee and Vice-Chairman for Women. UI grad Nancy Thies was a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team and later became a broadcaster for NBC sports. 50 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

10 FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN PERFORMERS Nancy Thies * Peggy Pullman Mary Charpentier 1978* Laura Knutson , 2006 Mimi Eberle 1980* Lynn Devers 1991 Nicole Cowart 2007 Denise Lamborn , 1990 Kim Berres 1998 Allison Buckley 2008 Heather Singalewitch 1988, 1990 Gina Wiechmann 1999 *Honors won at unofficial Big Ten Championship. Women s sports were not officially recognized by the Big Ten until BIG TEN CONFERENCE HONORS INDIVIDUAL BIG TEN CHAMPIONS 1976* Nancy Thies,V,BB,UB,FX,AA 1977* Nancy Thies,V,UB,FX,AA 1978* Mary Charpentier, BB 1980* Mimi Eberle, V 1988 Heather Singalewitch, AA 1990 Laura Knutson, tied BB Denise Lamborn, V Peggy Pullman, tied BB Heather Singalewitch, FX 1991 Lynn Devers, tied UB 1999 Gina Wiechmann, tied BB 2007, UB 2008 Julie Crall, BB BIG TEN GYMNAST OF THE YEAR 1976* Nancy Thies 1977* Nancy Thies 1988 Heather Singalewitch BIG TEN FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR Allison Buckley BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR 1990 Bev Mackes 2005 Bob Starkell BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR 1984 Karen Brems 1991 Lynn Devers ALL-BIG TEN 1976* Nancy Thies 1977* Nancy Thies 1978* Mary Charpentier 1980* Mimi Eberle 1987 Denise Lamborn 1988 Denise Lamborn 1990 Laura Knutson Denise Lamborn Peggy Pullman Heather Singalewitch 1991 Lynn Devers 1998 Kim Berres 1999 Gina Wiechmann (2nd) Kara Kapernekas (2nd) 2004 (2nd) (2nd) 2005 Kara Kapernekas (2nd) 2006 Julie Crall (2nd) 2007 Nicole Cowart Julie Crall (2nd) (2nd) 2008 Allison Buckley BIG TEN TEAM TITLES points points points BIG TEN GYMNAST OF THE WEEK 1/27/99 Gina Wiechmann 3/3/99 Phaedra Dixon 3/1/00 1/9/02 3/1/05 2/8/06 3/19/08 Allison Buckley BIG TEN ALL-DECADE TEAM 1980 s Heather Singalewitch 1980 s Denise Lamborn was the 2007 Big Ten Uneven Bars champion ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 51

11 ACADEMIC HONORS COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT 2007 (At-Large Second Team) SCHOLASTIC ALL-AMERICANS 1983 Karen Brems 1984 Karen Brems 1989 Lynn Devers Shari Smith 1990 Lynn Devers Becky Gaa Denise Lamborn Shari Smith 1991 Kara Corso Lynn Devers Becky Gaa 1992 Becky Gaa 1993 Becky Gaa 1994 Tracey Althans Kimberly Bathke 1995 Tracey Althans Karla Peterson Dina Slomski 1996 Tracey Althans Gena Gruss Melanie Dorwart 1999 Allison Berg Gena Gruss Michele Mesik Mina Moradi 2001 Jennifer Barrett Allison Berg Lindsay Ransom 2002 Allison Berg Amanda Kaufman Lindsay Ransom 2003 Amanda Kaufman Lauren Petric 2004 Margaret Dann Kim Kirzow Lauren Newcomb Lindsay Ransom Melissa Fernandez Lindsey Smith ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN 1984 Karen Brems 1988 Laura Knutson 1989 Shari Smith Lynn Devers Laura Knutson 1990 Lynn Devers Laura Knutson Jennifer Durdil Denise Lamborn Shari Smith 1991 Kara Corso Lynn Devers Jennifer Durdil Becky Gaa 1992 Kara Corso Mary Beth Clisham Becky Gaa 1993 Becky Gaa Kimberly Bathke Mary Beth Clisham Kara Corso Pam Swan 1994 Tracey Althans Kimberly Bathke Mary Beth Clisham Dina Slomski 1995 Tracey Althans Dina Slomski 1996 Tracey Althans Nicki Ciccarelli Kelli Farrar 1997 Becky Ashton Kim Berres Nicki Ciccarelli Melanie Dorwart 1998 Becky Ashton Kim Berres Melanie Dorwart Gena Gruss 1999 Becky Ashton Kim Berres Melanie Dorwart Gena Gruss 2000 Allison Berg Phaedra Dixon Gena Gruss Michelle Mesik Mina Moradi 2001 Jennifer Barrett Allison Berg Michelle Buranich Phaedra Dixon Amanda Kaufman Michelle Mesik Mina Moradi Gina Wiechmann 2002 Allison Berg Michelle Buranich Amanda Kaufman Michelle Mesik Mina Moradi was a four-time Scholastic All-American Michelle Buranich Jessica Cole Amanda Kaufman Lauren Newcomb Lindsay Ransom 2004 Margaret Dann Kim Kirzow Lauren Newcomb Lindsay Ransom 2005 Margaret Dann Lauren Newcomb Marijka Botterman Julie Crall Kim Kruk Lindsey Smith 2008 Marijka Botterman Nicole Cowart Julie Crall Kim Kruk Lindsey Smith GEORGE HUFF AWARDS 1977 Sarah Ausich Jean Bagel 1978 Tammy Bedrosian Joan Delast Sarah MacAdams Cynthia Weber 1979 Elizabeth LaPlante Sarah MacAdams 1980 Jan Osowski Joyce Pontious 1981 Joyce Pontious Jan Osowski 1982 Karen Brems Ann Pollack 1983 Karen Brems 1984 Karen Brems 1985 Heidi Helmke Luan Roberts 1986 Emily Collins Natacha Yonezuka 1987 Luan Roberts 1988 Michelle Maart 1989 Lynn Devers Laura Knutson Michelle Ruf Shari Smith 1990 Lynn Devers Jennifer Durdil Laura Knutson Heather Singalewitch Shari Smith 1991 Kara Corso Lynn Devers Jennifer Durdil Rebecca Gaa Laura Knutson Denise Lamborn Heather Singalewitch 1992 Susan Adams Mary Clisham Lynn Devers Rebecca Gaa 1993 Kim Bathke Mary Beth Clisham Kara Corso Jennifer Durdil Rebecca Gaa Dina Slomski 1994 Tracy Althans Kimberly Bathke Kara Corso 1995 Tracey Althans Kimberly Bathke Becky Drummond Dina Slomski 1996 Tracey Althans Nicole Ciccarelli Kelli Farrar Karla Peterson Dina Slomski Nicole Vierness 1997 Rebecca Ashton Katherine Karubas 1998 Rebecca Ashton Kimberly Berres Nicole Ciccarelli Katherine Karubas Nicole Vierness 1999 Rebecca Ashton Kim Berres Melanie Dorwart Gena Gruss Kristen Montero 2000 Rebecca Ashton Phaedra Dixon Melanie Dorwart Gena Gruss Mina Moradi 2001 Allison Berg Michelle Buranich Phaedra Dixon Gena Gruss Amanda Kaufman 2002 Jennifer Barrett Allison Berg Phaedra Dixon Michelle Mesik 2003 Amanda Kaufman Lauren Newcomb 2004 Margaret Dann Kimberly Kirzow Kathryn Kopren Lindsay Ransom 2005 Margaret Dann Lauren Newcomb 2006 Marijka Botterman Julie Crall Lindsey Smith 2007 Danye Botterman Lori Hamilton Kim Kruk Krystal Melcarek Lindsey Smith was a threetime Academic All-Big Ten selection. 52 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

12 TEAM HONORS MOST OUTSTANDING 1994 Puni Viernes 1995 Stacy Redmond 1996 Kim Berres 1997 Kim Berres 1998 Kim Berres 1999 Phaedra Dixon 2000 Phaedra Dixon Kara Kapernekas Julie Crall 2007 Nicole Cowart 2008 Allison Buckley MOST VALUABLE 1994 Mary Beth Clisham 1995 Dina Slomski 1996 Becky Ashton Kristin Montero 1999 Kim Berres 2000 Gena Gruss 2001 Jennifer Barrett 2002 Mina Moradi Kara Kapernekas 2005 Lauren Newcomb Nicole Cowart UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HONORS UI DIKE EDDLEMAN FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 1977 Nancy Theis 1984 Karen Brems UI FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 1994 Nicole Viernes 1996 Kim Berres Julie Crall 2008 Allison Buckley ILLINOIS EVENT TITLE LEADERS CAREER EVENT TITLES (includes All-Around) Nancy Thies Denise Lamborn Heather Singalewitch Kim Berres Phaedra Dixon Kara Kapernekas Heidi Hilmke Gina Wiechmann Kara Corso Gayle Fleischmann SINGLE SEASON EVENT TITLES (includes All-Around) Nancy Thies Nancy Thies Allison Buckley Heather Singalewitch Denise Lamborn Denise Lamborn Heather Singalewitch Gayle Fleishmann Phaedra Dixon Kara Corso 1992 UI OUTSTANDING FEMALE SCHOLAR- ATHLETE (Highest GPA for each class) 1992 Becky Gaa (Jr.) 1994 (So.) 1996 (Sr.) 2006 (Sr.) MOST IMPROVED Michelle Lacki 1998 Michelle Lacki 1999 Melanie Dowart 2000 Allison Berg 2001 Jennifer Barrett Phaedra Dixon 2002 Amanda Kaufman Krystal Melcarek 2006 Ursula Orozco 2007 Sarah Schmidt 2008 Lashlee Morris FIGHTING ILLINI OUTSTANDING TEAM GPA AWARD (Highest GPA for a team) Cumulative GPA FIGHTING ILLINI SPIRIT AWARD (UI student-athlete who best represents Fighting Illini spirit) 1995 Dina Slomski Above: Nancy Thies won an Illinois record 58 event titles in her career. Below: Nicole Cowart was voted the Most Valuable Illini gymnast during the 2008 season. MOST CONSISTENT BEAM 1994 Kari Karubas 1995 Nicole Ward 1996 Kim Berres 1997 C. Fernandez 1998 Kim Berres 1999 Gina Wiechmann 2000 Phaedra Dixon Kara Kapernekas 2004 Margaret Dann 2005 Margaret Dann Nicole Cowart 2008 Allison Buckley SCHOLAR-ATHLETE 1995 Tracey Althans Dina Slomski 1996 Tracey Althans Melanie Dorwart C. Fernandez Allison Berg & Melissa Fernandez Allison Buckley won the 2008 UI Newcomer of the Year Award. YEAR-BY-YEAR EVENT TITLE LEADERS (includes All-Around) 1975 Maria Salinas Nancy Thies Nancy Thies Gayle Fleischmann Gayle Fleischmann Mimi Eberle Karen Brems 6 Heidi Helmke Karem Brems 4 Heidi Helmke Heidi Helmke Heidi Helmke 2 Launn Roberts 2 Karen Brems Laura Hicks Laura Hicks Denise Lamborn Heather Singalewitch Heather Singalewitch Denise Lamborn Sarah Wasserman 6 Kara Corso Kara Corso Nicole Viernes 5 Nicole Ward Stacy Redmond Kim Berres Kim Berres Gina Wiechmann Phaedra Dixon Phaedra Dixon Nicole Cowart Allison Buckley ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 53

13 ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS A // B // C Adams, Susan , 89, 90, 91 Althans, Tracey , 94, 95, 96 Amico, Mary Ashton, Becky , 97, 98, 99 Baffes, Kathy , 79, 80 Bagel, Jean Barrett, Jennifer Barrow, Christine Bathke, Kimberly , 92, 93, 94 Bedrosian, Tammy Berg, Allison , 01, 02 Berres, Kim , 97, 98, 99 Botterman, Danye , 05, 06, 07 Botterman, Marijka , 07, 08 Brems, Karen , 82, 83, 84 Buckley, Allison Buranich, Michelle , 01, 02, 03 Carmicheal, Patty Carr, Bridget , 81, 82 Castle, Jennifer Charpentier, Mary , 79, 80, 81 Ciccarelli, Nicki , 95, 96, 97 Ciccarelli, Tracey , 97 Clisham, Mary Beth , 92, 93, 94 Cole, Jessica , 04, 05 Collias, Emily , 85, 86 Corso, Kara , 91, 92, 93 Cowart, Nicole , 08 Crall, Julie , 07, 08 D // E // F // G Danke, Cheryl Dann, Margaret , 03, 04, 05 Delact, Joan Devers, Lynn , 89, 90, 91 Dixon, Phaedra , 99, 00, 01 Dorwart, Melanie , 97, 98, 99 Drummond, Becky Dumich, Sara , 04, 05 Durdil, Jennifer , 90, 92 Earle, Emily , 04, 05, 06 Eberle, Mimi Current senior Lindsey Smith Ericson, Carissa , 99, 00, 01 Farrar, Kelli , 96, 97, 98 Fernandez, Carmella , 98, 99, 00 Fernandez, Melissa Fleischmann, Gayle , 78, 79, 80 Forsthoefel, Natalie , 94, 95, 96 Gaa, Becky , 91, 92, 93 Gallagher, Jana , 01, 02, 03 Gardner, Laura Garrity, Allison , 85, 86, 87 Greathouse, Teresa , 76 Gruss, Gena , 98, 99, 2000 H // I // J // K // L Hamilton, Gail Hawley, Karen , 01, 02, 03 Helmke, Heidi , 82, 83, 84 Hicks, Laura , 86 Hogan, Kelly , 95, 96, 97 Howell, Lisa Johnson, Gaye , 79, 80 Kalal, Randy Kapernekas, Kara , 03, 04, 05 Karubas, Kari , 95, 96, 97 Kaufman, Amanda , 01, 02, 03 Kirzow, Kim Knutson, Laura , 88, 89, 90 Kontur, Tracy , 88, 89, 90 Kruk, Kim , 07, 08 Lacki, Michelle Lamborn, Denise , 88, 90 LaPlante, Liz Lunquist, Debr a M // N // O // P Maart, Michelle , 86, 87, 88 MacAdams, Maggie , 77, 78 Matiya, Joellyn , 81, 82 McGee, Cindy Mesik, Michelle , 01, 02 McGrady, Michelle- 2005, 06, 07, 08 Melcarek, Krystal- 2005, 06, 07, 08 Montero, Kristin , 97, 98 Montgomery, Lisa Moore, Cindy , 83 Moradi, Mina , 01, 02 Morris, Lashlee Murin, Laura Neilson, Dotty Newcomb, Lauren , 03, 04, 05 Numrych, Charlene , 82, 83, 84 Orozco, Ursula Osowski, Jan , 80, 81 Pedregal, Marianne , 85, 86, 87 Pellegrinetti, Lisa , 99, 00, 01 Perino, Samantha Peterson, Anne , 79, 80 Peterson, Karla , 93, 95 Pollack, Allyson , 82 Polz, Laura , 91, 92 Pomeroy, Cara , 05, 06, 07 Pontious, Joyce , 79, 80, 81 Powers, Terri , 79, 80 Pullman, Peggy , 92 Krystal Melcarek was a four-time letterwinner Q // R // S Rechenmacher, Jayne , 79, 80, 81 Rechenmacher, Jill Redmond, Stacy , 96 Reid, Connie Roberts, Luann , 84, 85, 86 Robinson, Deborah Rosenwinkel, Pam Roska, Sarah Rossetto, Karen , 90, 91 Rudnicki, Patsy , 83, 84, 85 Ruf, Michelle , 86, 87, 88 Ruffolo, Laura Salinas, Maria , 76 Schmidt, Sarah , 08 Segers, Alicia Semeniuk, Tanya Sheppard, Sarah , 79, 80 Shively, Debbie , 88 Simpson, Faith Singalewitch, Heather , 88, 89, 90 Singer, Melissa , 05, 06, 07 Slomski, Dina , 94, 95 Smith, Karen Smith, Lindsey , 07, 08 Smith, Shari , 89 Sullivan, Kelcey T // U // V // W // X // Y // Z Tex, Cathy Thies, Nancy , 77 Travis, Lee , 77 Viernes, Nicole , 95, 96, 97 Ward, Nicole , 93, 94, 95 Wasserman, Sarah , 92 Weber, Cynthia , 76, 77, 78 Webster, Julie Wild, Katie , 04, 05, 06 Wiechmann, Gina , 99, 00, 01 Williams, Ashley , 03, 04, 05 Woolf, Laura Wurtzel, Melissa Yonezuka, Natacha , // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

14 MEDIA INFORMATION MEDIA INFORMATION MEET CREDENTIALS All home meets are held at Huff Hall and the public is charged for admission. A pass list, located at the northwest entrance of Huff Hall, is used for media and photographer admittance. Please contact Eric Giovanini, ( or egiovan2@illinois.edu) or Derek Neal ( or drneal@illinois.edu) of the Athletic Public Relations office in advance to request credentials. Media credential requests for road meets should be made through the host SID office. COACH/GYMNAST INTERVIEWS Please schedule all interviews through the Athletic Public Relations office. For interviews with head coach Bob Starkell or any Illinois coach or student-athlete, please contact Eric Giovanini or Derek Neal. Coach Starkell is usually available for interviews before or following afternoon workouts on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Interviews with athletes will be conducted according to class and practice schedules. POST-MEET INTERVIEWS Coach Bob Starkell and gymnasts will be available after meets following a short cool-down period. Please make all requests for interviews to Eric Giovanini or Derek Neal at the scorer s table. WORKOUT TIMES The Illini work out during the week on the third floor of Kenney Gym on the corner of Wright St. and Springfield Ave. Parking for Kenney is located along Wright St. in metered areas. Practices start at 1:15 p.m. daily and usually run about three hours. FIGHTINGILLINI.COM Fightingillini.com, the official website of the University of Illinois Athletic Department, is the fastest and easiest way for fans, alumni, students and parents to follow Illinois athletics. Maintained by the UI Athletic Public Relations office, fightingillini.com provides viewers with not only the latest scores, game stories, photos and statistics from all Illinois varsity sports, but also feature stories and blogs on student-athletes and coaches who shape the headlines. Live radio broadcasts of volleyball, football, men s and women s basketball, softball and baseball, as well as selected audio interviews, video highlight clips and live video of home gymnastics meets are availible at the click of the computer s mouse. FIGHTINGILLINI.COM FEATURES: The latest news on Illinois 19 varsity sports Live streaming video of home gymnastics meets Up-to-date results, schedules, statistics and game notes Feature stories on Illini student-athletes and coaches Student-athlete and coach biographies and blogs Photo galleries Audio and video clips MEET RESULTS Results will be available following the conclusion of the meet and also will be sent to the opposing team s sports information office. A story, complete with results, will be sent to selected media outlets and will be available on fightingillini.com. Results will be updated on the website following each meet. If you wish to have your media agency added to the list, please contact Eric Giovanini or Derek Neal in the Athletic Public Relations office. ILLINI ON THE WEB Live results and athlete information is also kept up-to-date at The women s gymnastics page features athlete biographies, schedules, results, statistics, feature stories, blogs, news, releases and live meet stats and video. GYMNASTICS MEDIA OUTLETS PRINT Champaign News-Gazette Jeff Huth P.O. Box 677 Champaign, IL Ph: (217) /5604 Fax: (217) The Daily Illini 512 East Green St. Champaign, IL Ph: (217) Fax: (217) sports@dailyillini.com Gatehouse News Service John Supinie Ph: (217) (cell) johnsupinie@aol.com Covering the Peoria Journal Star and Springfield State Journal-Register RADIO WDWS Radio Dave Loane, Sports Director P.O. Box 3939 Champaign, IL Ph: (217) Fax: (217) dloane@wdws.com WKIO/WLRW/WIXY, Illini Radio Group Mike Cation, Sports Director 2603 West Bradley Ave. Champaign, IL Ph: (217) FAX: (217) cation@att.net WDAN Radio Eric Turner, Sports Director 1501 N. Washington Danville, IL Ph: (217) WPGU Radio 24 East Green St. Champaign, IL Ph: (217) Fax: (217) TELEVISION Big Ten Network 600 W. Chicago Ave. Suite 875 Chicago, IL Phone: (312) Fax: (312) WAND-TV Brian Jodice 904 Southside Drive Decatur, IL Ph: (800) or- (217) Fax: (217) WCIA-TV Adam Mikulich, Aaron Bennett, Andrew Wilder 509 South Neil St. Champaign, IL Ph: (217) Fax: (217) WICD-TV Steve Breitweiser, Bart Baker 250 County Fair Drive Champaign, IL Ph: (217) Fax: (217) INTERNET ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 55