Jan. 12, 2001

Box Score

UIC women's gymnastics coach Peter Jansson knows that he has a talented team. The problem was that Jansson only saw flashes of it during the Flames season opener against host Bowling Green and Kent State.

Bowling Green won the triangular with 194.825 points followed by Kent State (192.925) and UIC (189.950).

"At times we were great, but we had several falls," Jansson said. "I think this was a meet to get out the jitters. We were against two very good MAC teams."

Jansson lauded the efforts of seniors Chrissy Johnston, Laura Jungels and Nadia Ori.

"Some of the routines that we hit - were just fantastic," Jansson said.

UIC's top performances included Erica Varner (9.700, vault), while Amy August, Johnston and Ori shared top honors for the Flames on the uneven bars with a 9.750. Johnston was solid once again on the balance beam with a 9.750. Senior Sara Casica was tops on the floor exercise for UIC with a 9.825 while teammate Cheryl Rubinger edged her out for the Flames' top all-around performance with 37.425.

Bowling Green's Marny Oestreng won the All-Around title with 39.050 points. She recorded victories in the vault (9.925), uneven bars (9.875) and floor exercise (9.975).

"We're disappointed, but we know that we're a good team," Jansson said. "It'll turn over real quick."