ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS DOMINATE

ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS DOMINATE 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 42

2008 Season-In-Review............................44-45 Big Ten Conference...............................46-47 NCAA Regional Championships.........................47 Individual Records...................................48 Team Records......................................49 National and Regional Honors..........................50 Big Ten Honors......................................51 Academic Honors....................................52 Team Honors.......................................53 Event Title Leaders...................................53 All-Time Letterwinners................................54 Media Information...................................55 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 43

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 9.900. 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 9.900 on the uneven bars to garner third place, led the Illini to a runner-up finish behind host- Michigan and season-high score of 195.750. The second place finish by Illinois was the highest conference championship finish since the Illini won the Big Ten crown back in 1990. 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 39.100s 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 9.850 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 9.825 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 38.925 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 49.150 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 39.450 and 39.375 that rank second and third, respectively, just behind record of 39.475. 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 2007. 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 9.850 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 9.850. 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 9.800 at the State of Illinois Classic. Illinois took second at the Big Ten Championships, its highest finish since winning the title in 1990. 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

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 192.775-196.300 Jan.19 #17 OHIO STATE L 193.125-193.450 Jan. 25 at #25 Iowa W 193.650-192.975 Feb. 2 #13 DENVER ( PINK MEET ) L 194.975-195.850 Feb. 8 at IGI Chicago Style Invite 3rd of 4 UCLA 196.875, Stanford 196.700, Illinois 194.775, Washington 194.250 (#9 UCLA, #11 Stanford, Washington) Feb. 16 #22 MICHIGAN STATE L 194.425-194.750 Feb. 24 at #24 Iowa w/ #19 MSU 3rd of 3 Iowa 195.575, Michigan State 194.875, Illinois 194.150 Feb. 29 at #12 Auburn L 193.225-195.825 March 8 #15 MISSOURI L 195.325-195.400 March 15 at Illinois-Chicago W 195.725-193.850 March 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS CLASSIC 1st of 4 Illinois 194.825, Illinois-Chicago 194.550 (UIC, Illinois State, N. Illinois) Northern Illinois 193.725, Illinois State 191.950 March 29 at Big Ten Championships 2nd of 7 Michigan 196.750, Illinois 195.750, Penn State 195.625 Ann Arbor, Mich. (U of Michigan) Michigan State 195.050, Iowa 194.775, Minnesota 194.425, Ohio State 194.075 April 12 at NCAA South Central Regional 3rd of 6 Alabama 197.300, Oklahoma 195.875, Illinois 195.425 Norman, Okla. (U of Oklahoma) Boise State 194.400, S.E. Missouri State 193.850, Arizona State 193.200 Apr. 24-26 NCAA Championships N/A Allison Buckley and Nicole Cowart competed as individuals in the all-around competition. 2008 SEASON SCORES Opponent Team Vault Bars Beam Floor at #6 Alabama 192.775 48.325 48.475 47.450 48.525 #17 Ohio State 193.125 48.550 48.325 48.100 48.150 at #25 Iowa 193.650 48.700 48.025 48.275 48.650 #13 Denver 194.975 49.000 48.925 48.375 48.675 at IGI Chicago Style Invite 194.775 48.500 48.575 48.825 48.875 #22 Michigan State 194.425 48.725 48.500 48.600 48.600 at #24 Iowa w/ #19 Michigan State 194.150 48.425 48.725 48.450 48.550 at #12 Auburn 193.225 48.775 48.850 47.225 48.375 #15 Missouri 195.325 49.000 48.925 48.450 48.950 at Illinois-Chicago 195.725 49.150 48.875 48.675 49.025 State of Illinois Classic 194.825 48.850 49.050 47.825 49.100 at Big Ten Championships 195.750 49.100 48.825 49.050 48.775 at NCAA Regional Championship 195.425 48.875 48.950 48.650 48.950 Season Average 194.394 48.767 48.694 48.304 48.708 Season High Scores 195.750 49.150 49.050 49.050 49.100 Regional Qualifying Score 195.125 48.945 48.880 48.600 48.860 2008 TEAM BESTS Team Score 195.750...................................at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) 195.725.........................................at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) 195.425...................................at South Central Regional (4/12/08) 195.325...............................................vs. Missouri (3/8/08) 194.975................................................vs. Denver (2/2/08) ALL-AROUND 39.450..............Allison Buckley...............at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) 39.375..............Allison Buckley.....................vs. Missouri (3/8/08) 39.350..............Allison Buckley...........State of Illinois Classic (3/22/08) 39.225..............Allison Buckley.................at Iowa w/ MSU (2/24/08) VAULT 9.900...............Allison Buckley...............at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08).................Allison Buckley.......................vs. Denver (2/2/08) 9.875............................at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08).................Allison Buckley........................at Iowa (1/25/08) UNEVEN BARS 9.900...............Sarah Schmidt.........at Big Ten Championships (3/29/08) 9.875...............Sarah Schmidt...............at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) 9.850...............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 9.925...............Allison Buckley...............at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08) 9.900...............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 9.925...............Allison Buckley.......................vs. Denver (2/2/08) 9.900...............Allison Buckley...............at Illinois-Chicago (3/15/08).................Allison Buckley.....................vs. Missouri (3/8/08) 9.875...............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

ALL-TIME CHAMPIONS 2008 Michigan 196.750 2007 Michigan 196.575 2006 Minnesota 195.150 2005 Michigan 196.250 2004 Michigan 197.800 2003 Michigan 197.450 2002 Michigan 196.475 2001 Michigan 197.150 2000 Michigan 197.850 1999 Michigan 196.300 1998 Minnesota 195.400 1997 Michigan 197.150 1996 Michigan 194.600 1995 Michigan 196.500 1994 Michigan 194.850 1993 Michigan 192.925 1992 Michigan 191.700 1991 Minnesota 189.000 1990 ILLINOIS 188.750 1989 Minnesota 187.450 1988 Minnesota 186.100 1987 Ohio State 184.350 1986 Ohio State 181.800 1985 Ohio State 180.850 1984 Ohio State 180.900 1983 Ohio State 178.000 1982 Michigan 140.950 2008 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS MARCH 29, 2008 // CRISLER ARENA // ANN ARBOR, MICH. CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY Team Titles Last Ind.* Michigan 16 2008 71 Ohio State 5 1987 21 Minnesota 5 2006 29 ILLINOIS 1 1990 9 Iowa 0-11 Michigan State 0-9 Penn State 0-16 Wisconsin# 0-3 Indiana@ 0-0 * Total Individual Champions # Program discontinued in 1991 @ Program discontinued in 1983 Pl. Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total 1. Michigan 49.225 49.425 49.050 49.050 196.750 2. ILLINOIS 49.100 48.825 49.050 48.775 195.750 3. Penn State 48.900 49.000 48.900 48.825 195.625 4. Michigan State 48.625 49.000 48.575 48.850 195.050 5. Iowa 48.125 49.000 48.975 48.675 194.775 6. Minnesota 48.700 48.825 48.225 48.675 194.425 7. Ohio State 48.675 48.400 47.925 49.075 194.075 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS Vault 10.0 Katie Rowland, PSU 2003 Beth Wymer, Mich. 1995 Heather Kabnick, Mich 1995 Beth Wymer, Mich. 1994 Uneven Bars 10.0 Elise Ray, Mich. 2004 Nikki Peters, Mich. 1999 Nikki Peters, Mich. 1998 Nikki Peters, Mich. 1996 Balance Beam 10.0 Nikki Smith, PSU 2000 Floor Exercise 9.975 Sarah Cain, Mich. 2000 Sarah Cain, Mich. 1999 Nikki Peters, Mich. 1997 Heather Kabnick, Mich. 1997 All-Around 39.800 Elise Ray, Mich. 2004 Team Score 197.850 Michigan 2000 Allison Buckley was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first team All-Big Ten. 2008 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS Vault: Brandi Personett, Penn State 9.950 Bars: Sarah Curtis, Michigan 9.950 Beam: JULIE CRALL, ILLINOIS 9.900 Floor: Kylie Botterman, Michigan 9.900 Brandi Personett, Penn State AA: Brandi Personett, Penn State 39.525 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

2007-08 ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS Marijka Botterman Speech Communications 3.17 Nicole Cowart Business Administration 3.05 2008 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** 49.525 49.175 49.250 49.350 197.350 2. Oklahoma** 49.050 49.075 48.500 49.250 195.875 3. ILLINOIS 48.875 48.950 48.650 48.950 195.425 4. Boise State 48.800 48.900 47.700 49.000 194.400 5. S.E. Missouri St. 48.525 48.525 48.300 48.500 193.850 6. Arizona State 48.700 47.825 47.975 48.700 193.200 **Advanced to NCAA Championships Accountancy 3.55 Lindsey Smith Community Health 3.48 EVENT CHAMPIONS Vault: Morgan Dennis, Alabama 9.950 Bars: Kassi Price, Alabama 9.900 Beam: Kassi Price, Alabama 9.900 Brittany Magee, Alabama FX: Morgan Dennis, Alabama 9.925 Kiara Redmond, Oklahoma ALL-AROUND RESULTS 1. Morgan Dennis, Alabama 39.625 2. Ricki Lebegern, Alabama 39.300 3. Allison Buckley, Illinois* 39.100 Nicole Cowart, Illinois* 5. Kiara Redmond, Oklahoma 38.975 Sandra Blake, SEMO The Fighting Illini on the podium at the 2008 South Central Regional Championships in Norman, Okla. 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 47

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ALL-AROUND 1. 39.475 vs. Ball State, 2004 2. 39.450 Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago, 2008 3. 39.375 Allison Buckley vs. Missouri, 2008 Kara Kapernekas at State of Illinois Classic, 2003 5. 39.350 Allison Buckley State of Illinois Classic, 2008 vs. Minnesota/UIC, 2003 Phaedra Dixon vs. Ohio State, 1999 8. 39.325 State of Illinois Classic, 2004 Kim Berres vs. SEMO, 1996 10. 39.275 at NCAA South Central Regional, 2004 Kara Kapernekas vs. Iowa, 2003 vs. Iowa, 2001 is the Illinois All-Around record holder. VAULT 1. 9.925 Jessica Cole at State of Illinois Classic, 2003 Nicole Viernes vs. Florida & Iowa State, 1996 3. 9.900 Allison Buckley at Illinois-Chicago, 2008 Allison Buckley vs. Denver, 2008 Marijka Botterman vs. Auburn, 2007 vs. Iowa, 2001 7. 9.875 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 1. 10.0 at NCAA South Central Regional, 2004 2. 9.950 at Big Ten Championships, 2007 at State of Illinois Classic, 2007 at Texas Women s Quad, 2005 5. 9.925 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 1. 9.950 Stacy Redmond vs. SEMO, 1995 2. 9.925 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, 1997 10. 9.900 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 1. 9.950 Kara Kapernekas vs. Ball State, 2004 Kara Kapernekas vs. Iowa, 2003 Amanda Kaufman vs. Iowa, 2003 Phaedra Dixon at State of Illinois Classic, 2000 5. 9.925 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, 1999 10. 9.900 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 2008-09 roster 48 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS scored the only 10.0 in school history on bars at the 2004 South Central Regional.

TEAM RECORDS TOTAL SCORE 1. 196.300 State of Illinois Classic 3/13/04 2. 196.150 vs. Iowa 3/3/01 3. 195.975 vs. Auburn 3/9/07 4. 195.925 vs. Iowa St. & NIU 2/25/07 5. 195.800 vs. Ohio State 3/6/99 6. 195.750 at Big Ten Championships 3/29/08 195.750 at Texas Women s Quad 2/26/05 195.750 at State of Illinois Classic 3/23/03 9. 195.700 vs. Michigan State 1/25/04 195.700 vs. Ohio State 2/3/01 VAULT 1. 49.150 at Illinois-Chicago 3/15/08 2. 49.125 vs. Illinois-Chicago 3/17/07 3. 49.100 at Big Ten Championships 3/29/08 49.100 vs. Iowa St. & NIU 2/25/07 49.100 at Texas Women s Quad 2/26/05 6. 49.075 vs. Auburn 3/9/07 7. 49.000 vs. Missouri 3/8/08 49.000 vs. Denver 2/2/08 49.000 State of Illinois Classic 3/13/04 10. 48.900 vs. Iowa 2/17/96 BARS 1. 49.475 at NCAA South Central Regional 4/3/04 2. 49.225 vs. Penn State 1/13/01 3. 49.300 at Big Ten Championships 3/31/07 4. 49.250 at State of Illinois Classic 3/25/07 5. 49.200 vs. Iowa St. & NIU 2/25/07 6. 49.100 vs. Auburn 3/9/07 49.100 State of Illinois Classic 3/13/04 49.100 vs. Ohio State 3/6/99 49.100 vs. Illinois State 2/28/98 10. 49.075 vs. Illinois-Chicago 2/16/01 BEAM 1. 49.175 at Big Ten Championships 3/20/04 2. 49.150 at State of Illinois Classic 3/23/03 49.150 vs. Ohio State 2/3/01 4. 49.125 vs. Iowa 3/3/01 5. 49.100 vs. Auburn 3/9/07 49.100 vs. Ohio State 3/12/05 6. 49.075 at UIC 2/25/06 49.075 State of Illinois Classic 3/13/04 49.075 vs. Ohio State 3/6/99 9. 49.050 at Big Ten Championships 3/29/08 49.050 vs. Iowa State 2/14/04 FLOOR 1. 49.450 at State of Illinois Classic 3/16/01 2. 49.425 vs. Iowa 3/8/03 3. 49.300 vs. Ohio State 3/6/99 4. 49.275 vs. Ball State 2/21/04 49.275 vs. Iowa State 2/14/04 6. 49.250 vs. Ohio State 2/3/01 49.250 vs. Iowa 3/3/01 8. 49.225 at Ohio State 1/31/04 49.225 vs. Michigan State 1/25/04 10. 49.200 vs. Penn State 2/13/99 The 2004 Fighting Illini women s gymnastics team set the school record of 196.300 to win the State of Illinois Classic. ALL-TIME TEAM RECORDS Year Duals Big Ten Regional Coach 2008 6-10 2nd 3rd Bob Starkell 2007 9-8 3rd 4th Bob Starkell 2006 10-4 7th 4th Bob Starkell 2005 18-5 5th 6th Bob Starkell 2004 10-7 6th 5th Bob Starkell 2003 7-12 6th -- Bob Starkell 2002 6-16 6th -- Bob Starkell 2001 3-13 7th -- Bob Starkell 2000 7-10 6th -- Bob Starkell 1999 10-7-1 5th 5th Lynn Brueckman 1998 12-5 6th 6th Lynn Brueckman 1997 7-11 6th -- Lynn Brueckman 1996 13-5 5th -- Lynn Brueckman 1995 6-12 5th -- Lynn Brueckman 1994 4-14 7th -- Lynn Brueckman 1993 2-14 7th -- Bev Mackes 1992 2-14 6th -- Bev Mackes 1991 3-8 T-4th -- Bev Mackes 1990 7-2 1st 5th Bev Mackes 1989 9-5 4th 5th Bev Mackes 1988 5-3 3rd 7th Bev Mackes 1987 11-6 4th 4th Bev Mackes 1986 5-3 5th -- Bev Mackes 1985 2-5 5th 4th Bev Mackes 1984 2-4 T-4th 4th Bev Mackes 1983 8-7 3rd 4th Bev Mackes 1982 2-3 6th* 5th Bev Mackes 1981 1-3 4th* 6th Bev Mackes 1980 4-2 2nd* 4th Bev Mackes 1979 3-5 2nd* 8th Bev Mackes 1978 2-4 3rd* 9th Bev Mackes 1977 1-1 1st* 5th Allison Milburn 1976 2-2 1st* 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 1982-83. 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 49

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

FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN PERFORMERS Nancy Thies 1976-77* Peggy Pullman 1990 2002 Mary Charpentier 1978* Laura Knutson 1990 2005, 2006 Mimi Eberle 1980* Lynn Devers 1991 Nicole Cowart 2007 Denise Lamborn 1987-88, 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 1982-83. 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 2002 2008 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 2002 2003 (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 1976 102.550 points 1977 138.040 points 1990 188.750 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. 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 51

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 1997 1998 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 2005 2006 2008 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. 2003 Michelle Buranich Jessica Cole Amanda Kaufman Lauren Newcomb Lindsay Ransom 2004 Margaret Dann Kim Kirzow Lauren Newcomb Lindsay Ransom 2005 Margaret Dann Lauren Newcomb 2006 2007 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

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 2001 2002 2003 Kara Kapernekas 2004 2005 2006 Julie Crall 2007 Nicole Cowart 2008 Allison Buckley MOST VALUABLE 1994 Mary Beth Clisham 1995 Dina Slomski 1996 Becky Ashton 1997 1998 Kristin Montero 1999 Kim Berres 2000 Gena Gruss 2001 Jennifer Barrett 2002 Mina Moradi 2003 2004 Kara Kapernekas 2005 Lauren Newcomb 2006 2007 2008 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 2002 2006 Julie Crall 2008 Allison Buckley ILLINOIS EVENT TITLE LEADERS CAREER EVENT TITLES (includes All-Around) 1. 58 Nancy Thies 1976-77 2. 41 2004-07 3. 38 Denise Lamborn 1987-90 4. 34 Heather Singalewitch 1987-90 5. 32 Kim Berres 1996-99 6. 26 2002-05 7. 25 Phaedra Dixon 1998-2001 8. 23 Kara Kapernekas 2002-05 23 Heidi Hilmke 1981-84 10. 21 Gina Wiechmann 1998-2001 21 Kara Corso 1990-93 21 Gayle Fleischmann 1977-80 SINGLE SEASON EVENT TITLES (includes All-Around) 1. 34 Nancy Thies 1976 2. 24 Nancy Thies 1977 3. 19 Allison Buckley 2008 4. 17 Heather Singalewitch 1989 5. 16 Denise Lamborn 1987 6. 14 Denise Lamborn 1990 14 Heather Singalewitch 1989 8. 13 Gayle Fleishmann 1979 9. 12 2002 12 Phaedra Dixon 1999 12 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 1996 1997 Michelle Lacki 1998 Michelle Lacki 1999 Melanie Dowart 2000 Allison Berg 2001 Jennifer Barrett Phaedra Dixon 2002 Amanda Kaufman 2003 2004 2005 Krystal Melcarek 2006 Ursula Orozco 2007 Sarah Schmidt 2008 Lashlee Morris FIGHTING ILLINI OUTSTANDING TEAM GPA AWARD (Highest GPA for a team) 1998 3.32 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 2001 2002 2003 Kara Kapernekas 2004 Margaret Dann 2005 Margaret Dann 2006 2007 Nicole Cowart 2008 Allison Buckley SCHOLAR-ATHLETE 1995 Tracey Althans Dina Slomski 1996 Tracey Althans 1997 1998 Melanie Dorwart 1999 2000 C. Fernandez 2001 2002 Allison Berg 2003 2004 2005 2006 & 2007 2008 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 7 1976 Nancy Thies 34 1977 Nancy Thies 24 1978 Gayle Fleischmann 6 1979 Gayle Fleischmann 13 1980 Mimi Eberle 10 1981 Karen Brems 6 Heidi Helmke 6 1982 Karem Brems 4 Heidi Helmke 4 1983 Heidi Helmke 11 1984 Heidi Helmke 2 Launn Roberts 2 Karen Brems 2 1985 Laura Hicks 4 1986 Laura Hicks 10 1987 Denise Lamborn 16 1988 Heather Singalewitch 17 1989 Heather Singalewitch 14 1990 Denise Lamborn 14 1991 Sarah Wasserman 6 Kara Corso 6 1992 Kara Corso 12 1993 5 1994 Nicole Viernes 5 Nicole Ward 5 1995 Stacy Redmond 11 1996 Kim Berres 11 1997 Kim Berres 5 1998 Gina Wiechmann 11 1999 Phaedra Dixon 12 2000 Phaedra Dixon 9 2001 5 2002 12 2003 6 2004 10 2005 11 2006 10 2007 10 Nicole Cowart 10 2008 Allison Buckley 19 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 53

ALL-TIME LETTERWINNERS A // B // C Adams, Susan - 1988, 89, 90, 91 Althans, Tracey - 1993, 94, 95, 96 Amico, Mary - 1981 Ashton, Becky - 1996, 97, 98, 99 Baffes, Kathy - 1978, 79, 80 Bagel, Jean - 1976 Barrett, Jennifer - 2000 Barrow, Christine - 1984 Bathke, Kimberly - 1991, 92, 93, 94 Bedrosian, Tammy - 1977 Berg, Allison - 2000, 01, 02 Berres, Kim - 1996, 97, 98, 99 Botterman, Danye - 2004, 05, 06, 07 Botterman, Marijka - 2006, 07, 08 Brems, Karen - 1981, 82, 83, 84 Buckley, Allison - 2008 Buranich, Michelle - 2000, 01, 02, 03 Carmicheal, Patty - 1977 Carr, Bridget - 1980, 81, 82 Castle, Jennifer - 1978 Charpentier, Mary - 1978, 79, 80, 81 Ciccarelli, Nicki - 1994, 95, 96, 97 Ciccarelli, Tracey - 1996, 97 Clisham, Mary Beth - 1991, 92, 93, 94 Cole, Jessica - 2003, 04, 05 Collias, Emily - 1984, 85, 86 Corso, Kara - 1990, 91, 92, 93 Cowart, Nicole - 2007, 08 Crall, Julie - 2006, 07, 08 D // E // F // G Danke, Cheryl - 1985 Dann, Margaret - 2002, 03, 04, 05 Delact, Joan - 1977 Devers, Lynn - 1988, 89, 90, 91 Dixon, Phaedra - 1998, 99, 00, 01 Dorwart, Melanie - 1996, 97, 98, 99 Drummond, Becky - 1994 Dumich, Sara - 2003, 04, 05 Durdil, Jennifer - 1989, 90, 92 Earle, Emily - 2003, 04, 05, 06 Eberle, Mimi - 1980 Current senior Lindsey Smith Ericson, Carissa - 1998, 99, 00, 01 Farrar, Kelli - 1995, 96, 97, 98 Fernandez, Carmella - 1997, 98, 99, 00 Fernandez, Melissa - 2008 Fleischmann, Gayle - 1977, 78, 79, 80 Forsthoefel, Natalie - 1993, 94, 95, 96 Gaa, Becky - 1990, 91, 92, 93 Gallagher, Jana - 2000, 01, 02, 03 Gardner, Laura - 1978 Garrity, Allison - 1984, 85, 86, 87 Greathouse, Teresa - 1975, 76 Gruss, Gena - 1997, 98, 99, 2000 H // I // J // K // L Hamilton, Gail - 1989 Hawley, Karen - 2000, 01, 02, 03 Helmke, Heidi - 1981, 82, 83, 84 Hicks, Laura - 1985, 86 Hogan, Kelly - 1994, 95, 96, 97 Howell, Lisa - 1979 Johnson, Gaye - 1978, 79, 80 Kalal, Randy - 1975 Kapernekas, Kara - 2002, 03, 04, 05 Karubas, Kari - 1994, 95, 96, 97 Kaufman, Amanda - 2000, 01, 02, 03 Kirzow, Kim - 2004 Knutson, Laura - 1987, 88, 89, 90 Kontur, Tracy - 1987, 88, 89, 90 Kruk, Kim - 2006, 07, 08 Lacki, Michelle - 1998 Lamborn, Denise - 1987, 88, 90 LaPlante, Liz - 1978 Lunquist, Debr a- 1977 M // N // O // P Maart, Michelle - 1985, 86, 87, 88 MacAdams, Maggie - 1976, 77, 78 Matiya, Joellyn - 1980, 81, 82 McGee, Cindy - 1983 Mesik, Michelle - 2000, 01, 02 McGrady, Michelle- 2005, 06, 07, 08 Melcarek, Krystal- 2005, 06, 07, 08 Montero, Kristin - 1995, 97, 98 Montgomery, Lisa - 1982 Moore, Cindy - 1982, 83 Moradi, Mina - 1999, 01, 02 Morris, Lashlee - 2008 Murin, Laura - 1981 Neilson, Dotty - 1983 Newcomb, Lauren - 2002, 03, 04, 05 Numrych, Charlene - 1981, 82, 83, 84 Orozco, Ursula - 2007 Osowski, Jan - 1979, 80, 81 Pedregal, Marianne - 1984, 85, 86, 87 Pellegrinetti, Lisa - 1998, 99, 00, 01 Perino, Samantha - 2008 Peterson, Anne - 1978, 79, 80 Peterson, Karla - 1992, 93, 95 Pollack, Allyson - 1981, 82 Polz, Laura - 1990, 91, 92 Pomeroy, Cara - 2004, 05, 06, 07 Pontious, Joyce - 1978, 79, 80, 81 Powers, Terri - 1978, 79, 80 Pullman, Peggy - 1990, 92 Krystal Melcarek was a four-time letterwinner Q // R // S Rechenmacher, Jayne - 1978, 79, 80, 81 Rechenmacher, Jill - 1986 Redmond, Stacy - 1995, 96 Reid, Connie - 1983 Roberts, Luann - 1983, 84, 85, 86 Robinson, Deborah - 1975 Rosenwinkel, Pam - 1975 Roska, Sarah - 1976 Rossetto, Karen - 1989, 90, 91 Rudnicki, Patsy - 1982, 83, 84, 85 Ruf, Michelle - 1985, 86, 87, 88 Ruffolo, Laura - 2002 Salinas, Maria - 1975, 76 Schmidt, Sarah - 2007, 08 Segers, Alicia - 1976 Semeniuk, Tanya - 1993 Sheppard, Sarah - 1978, 79, 80 Shively, Debbie - 1987, 88 Simpson, Faith - 1991 Singalewitch, Heather - 1987, 88, 89, 90 Singer, Melissa - 2004, 05, 06, 07 Slomski, Dina - 1992, 94, 95 Smith, Karen - 1975 Smith, Lindsey - 2006, 07, 08 Smith, Shari - 1988, 89 Sullivan, Kelcey - 1991 T // U // V // W // X // Y // Z Tex, Cathy - 1975 Thies, Nancy - 1976, 77 Travis, Lee - 1975, 77 Viernes, Nicole - 1994, 95, 96, 97 Ward, Nicole - 1992, 93, 94, 95 Wasserman, Sarah - 1991, 92 Weber, Cynthia - 1975, 76, 77, 78 Webster, Julie - 1980 Wild, Katie - 2003, 04, 05, 06 Wiechmann, Gina - 1998, 99, 00, 01 Williams, Ashley - 2002, 03, 04, 05 Woolf, Laura - 2008 Wurtzel, Melissa - 1997 Yonezuka, Natacha - 1984, 85 54 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

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, (217-333-1391 or egiovan2@illinois.edu) or Derek Neal (217-244-3707 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 e-mail 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 www.fightingillini.com. 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 61820 Ph: (217) 351-5232/5604 Fax: (217) 351-5374 The Daily Illini 512 East Green St. Champaign, IL 61820 Ph: (217) 337-8363 Fax: (217) 337-8328 sports@dailyillini.com Gatehouse News Service John Supinie Ph: (217) 377-1977 (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 61826 Ph: (217) 351-5300 Fax: (217) 351-5385 dloane@wdws.com WKIO/WLRW/WIXY, Illini Radio Group Mike Cation, Sports Director 2603 West Bradley Ave. Champaign, IL 61820 Ph: (217) 352-4141 FAX: (217) 298-9000 cation@att.net WDAN Radio Eric Turner, Sports Director 1501 N. Washington Danville, IL 61832 Ph: (217) 442-1700 WPGU Radio 24 East Green St. Champaign, IL 61820 Ph: (217) 244-3000 Fax: (217) 244-3001 TELEVISION Big Ten Network 600 W. Chicago Ave. Suite 875 Chicago, IL 60610 Phone: (312) 665-0700 Fax: (312) 665-0740 www.bigtennetwork.com WAND-TV Brian Jodice 904 Southside Drive Decatur, IL 62522 Ph: (800) 252-1601 -or- (217) 424-2500 Fax: (217) 422-8203 WCIA-TV Adam Mikulich, Aaron Bennett, Andrew Wilder 509 South Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820 Ph: (217) 356-8333 Fax: (217) 373-3663 WICD-TV Steve Breitweiser, Bart Baker 250 County Fair Drive Champaign, IL 61821 Ph: (217) 351-8503 Fax: (217) 351-6134 INTERNET www.fightingillini.com www.bigten.org www.bigtennetwork.com www.troester.com/gym www.insidegymnastics.com www.collegegymfans.com www.ncaasports.com 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 55