Jan. 20, 2002

Kalamazoo, Mich. - During a journey to Kalamazoo, Michigan in January, one can expect snow, icy roads and bitter cold temperatures.

The UIC women's gymnastics team expected to drive home with a well-rounded effort behind them from the Bronco Triangular, but due to a few poorly timed mistakes and the prowess of opponents Western Michigan and Ball State, the Flames were defeated at Western Michigan by both squads.

Ball State won the meet with a team score of 194.500, while Western Michigan's 192.925 was good enough to get by UIC's mark of 190.900.

"We built some character up here today," said UIC head coach Peter Jansson. "We started off better on the beam, but we had a few unexpected mistakes on floor and we fell apart on bars."

Kimberly Sommer had a good afternoon for the Flames, recording the team's best scores on beam and the uneven bars, scoring a 9.725 on each apparatus.

Amy August had the best overall finish for UIC on the day, placing third on vault with a score of 9.725.

"We are practicing hard and we have the talent, so everything will come around for us soon," added Jansson.

The women's tumbling squad will get another crack at Ball State and others on Friday, Jan. 25, as the Flames travel to Muncie, Indiana-home of the Cardinals-to take part in the Cardinal Classic at 6:00 p.m.