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TWU
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Life > Athletics > Gymnastics > 3/25/06
MIC CHAMPIONS!
CAPE GIRARDEAU , Mo. – Texas Woman’s University started the postseason with a bang capturing the Midwest Independent Conference Championship with a season-high score of 193.200.
The Pioneers took the MIC title from Illinois-Chicago who had won the meet the past four seasons. UIC was second with a 192.375 followed by Southeast Missouri State (192.300), Centenary (190.575) and Illinois State (189.025).
TWU took all four events en route to the title. Junior Courtney Arno won both the uneven bars (9.800) and balance beam (9.800). Freshman Brittany Parker was the vault champion (9.825) and sophomore Brisa Fuentes claimed first place on the floor exercise (9.850).
“It wasn’t easy but we put it together. Sweeping the events and not counting falls was huge,” head coach Frank Kudlac said. “This is what this program needed for a boost into the USA Gymnastics National Championships.”
In the five-team meet, TWU had a bye in the last rotation after competing on the beam, floor, vault and bars.
“Now we will practice for three weeks before leaving for USAG’s,” Kudlac added. “Historically, this program peaks at the end of the season. We kept up with history and made history today.”
MIC regular season awards were handed out after the competition. Southeast’s Sandra Blake was named Gymnast of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. The Redhawks Tom Farden won Coach of the Year and Steve Averginos from ISU was picked as Assistant Coach of the year.
The Pioneers await word if any individuals will qualify for the NCAA South Central Regional Championships on April 8. The following weekend, TWU travels to Cornell University to compete in the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships, April 13-15.
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