March 25, 2007

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DeKalb, Ill.- Fueled by individual event victories from Jessie Jaworowicz, Justine Weyer and Rachael Zelinski and its best all-around road effort of the year, the UIC women's gymnastics team regained state bragging rights by winning the 2007 State of Illinois Classic at Northern Illinois' Convocation Center on Sunday afternoon.

It marked the second time in three years that UIC has won the State of Illinois Classic. Since 2000 UIC has captured six of eight state crowns.

The Flames posted a winning tally of 194.625, their third-best score of the season and top road showing in 2007, to hold off the host Huskies, who posted a runner-up 194.125.

UIC exacted a little payback on 20th-ranked Illinois, who placed third with a score of 193.725 after picking up a win over the Flames last weekend. Illinois State rounded out the field with a fourth-place 188.5.

The performance also proved to be critical in the regional qualifying race for the Flames. UIC's 194.625 created separation between the Flames and their closest competitor for the final South Central Regional bid, Southeast Missouri State.

UIC will learn its regional fate next week after the final weekend of meets across the country concludes.

Jaworowicz won the balance beam with a 9.775, sharing the title with Cara Pomeroy of Illinois, to spur a team-leading all-around effort that resulted in a score of 39.05 for the senior.

UIC had its share of all-around stars on Sunday. In addition to Jaworowicz's second-place showing in the all-around, all-state selection Annie Kachman turned in a fourth-place 38.825 while fellow sophomore Ashley Thurston proved vital in her first-ever collegiate all-around performance with a fifth-place 38.675.

Weyer continued to shine as a solid rookie contributor, sharing first on vault with NIU's Leah Johnson after both hit a 9.85.

Zelinski won the state floor crown with a 9.85, sharing the title with the Huskies' Jennifer Naughton.

Jaworowicz and Zandre Labuschagne led the Flames on uneven bars with identical 9.775 scores.

UIC hosts the 2007 Midwest Independent Conference Championships at the UIC Physical Education Building next Saturday, March 31st beginning at 5:00 p.m.