March 16, 2000

Box Score

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - The UIC women's gymnastics team continued its push for a NCAA Regional appearance by winning the Midwest Independent Championship title Thursday night in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Seven Flames were named to the `All-Conference' team as UIC finished first with 194.000 points. Illinois State placed second with 192.575 points while Southeast Missouri State took third with 191.900. Winona State rounded out the scoring with 184.025.

Senior Kim Ball capped her sensational regular season by taking the Midwest Independent championship on the floor exercise, finishing first with a 9.875. Gabriella Brunn finished as the runner up on floor, earning All-Conference status with by placing second with a score of 9.825.

The Flames were dominant on the uneven bars, sweeping the event's top four places. Amy August and Jaclyn Messerges shared the Midwest Independent championships honors on bars, tying for first with scores of 9.825. Sara Casica and Cheryl Rubinger also earned All-Conference honors on bars, tying for third with a pair of 9.750 scores.

Brunn earned all-conference status on a second event for UIC, finishing as the Midwest Independent runner-up on the balance beam with a 9.800.

Tara Rhoden joined UIC's list of All-Conference performers with a second-place finish on vault (9.750).

The Flames' team score of 194.000 continued UIC's late season surge, keeping the team in contention for a spot at NCAA Regionals. The NCAA is expected to announce its Regional selections on Tuesday, March 21.