Redbirds bump Seawolves in Illinois

NORMAL, Ill. – Sophomores Kelsey Fullerton and Shakea Sanders swept the top two spots on bars, but much of Friday night's gymnastics meet at Horton Field House was a struggle for visiting Alaska Anchorage as the Seawolves fell 193.825-187.600 to host Illinois State.

After starting out with its injury-plagued bars lineup, the Seawolves (2-11) performed well on vault, outscoring the Redbirds 48.050-47.825 on that apparatus. A solid performance on floor pushed UAA to its fourth-best team total of the season but was not nearly enough to overcome ISU (9-5) and winning all-around performer Erica Schick, who scored an impressive 39.075.

Fullerton won vault by tying her season-best with a 9.675, while Sanders delivered a 9.65 and Williams a 9.6.

Meanwhile, ISU swept the top four spots on floor and beam, and the top five places on bars.

Junior Maria Puricelli, performing down the road from her hometown of Saint Louis, posted UAA's top bars routine with a 9.675, and sophomore Kaelei Spoor paced the Seawolves on floor with a 9.7.

UAA came into the meet shorthanded on bars, missing regulars Kristy Boswell and Leah Wilson to recent season-ending injuries.

The Seawolves finish their road trip Sunday with a tri-meet in Cape Girardeau, Mo., against host Southeast Missouri and 18th-ranked Missouri. That meet will be videostreamed live and free of charge by a local television station. Check the GoSeawolves.com gymnastics schedule page for a direct link.

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Players Mentioned

Kristy Boswell: 5' 6"; Freshman

Kelsey Fullerton: 5' 3"; Freshman

Maria Puricelli: 5' 3"; Freshman

Leah Wilson: 5' 4"; Freshman

Shakea Sanders: 5' 5"; Freshman

Kaelei Spoor: 4' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kristy Boswell
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Kelsey Fullerton
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Maria Puricelli
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Leah Wilson
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Shakea Sanders
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Kaelei Spoor
: 4' 10"; Freshman