Jan. 12, 2002

Chicago, Ill. - Head women's gymnastics coach Peter Jansson has said that this is a "bonus season" for UIC senior Sara Casica, and a bonus she deserves.

After Friday night, the bonus points are already beginning to add up.

After battling injuries throughout her career, Casica now seems healthy as ever, as she was victorious in the all-around competition at Auburn with a total score of 38.775, edging out the 38.500 posted by Illinois' Ashley Williams.

UIC, as a team, finished third in a tight battle for the top-spot. The host Tigers won the meet with a score of 192.625, while Illinois (191.575) edged the Flames (190.350). Centenary College finished fourth with a score of 186.950.

Freshman Jennifer O'Neil also showed flashes of why Jansson is so excited about the prospects of this year's recruiting class. Her all-around score of 37.675 was good for sixth-place.

Kimberly Sommer equaled O'Neil on the bars, tying for third-place with a score of 9.775, while Atlin Mitchell and Amy August also had good performances on the night.

Mitchell tied for fourth-place on the floor exercise (9.725) with O'Neil, and August tied for seventh-place on the vault, scoring a 9.725.

Casica's top finish was on the beam, where she finished in a tie for fourth with a score of 9.725.

The women's gymnastics team will be in action again next Sunday when the Flames visit Kalamazoo, Mich. to tangle with Western Michigan and Ball State.