Feb. 13, 2002

Normal, Ill. - Competing against its second straight intrastate rival in 48 hours, the University of Illinois at Chicago women's gymnastics team defeated a Land of Lincoln opponent for the second time in three days, beating Illinois State 194.600-193.825, Tuesday evening in Normal.

The Flames, ranked No. 42 in the nation, were able to defeat No. 39 Illinois State with near flawless efforts on vault, bars and floor.

"We did the best we possibly can do on (those three) events," said co-head coach Peter Jansson. "There was a lot of good stuff tonight."

The Flames-winners of three straight-really made a statement on vault at the Horton Field House. UIC put together a season-high team score of 48.800, besting ISU by .65.

Atlin Mitchell was the winner with a big score of 9.875. Amy August was second (9.850), Kimberly Sommer and Erica Varner tied for fourth (9.700) and Jennifer O'Neil was sixth (9.675).

Mitchell also won the floor exercise with a score of 9.850, while the rest of the UIC floor crew was solid as usual, totaling another season-high of 49.000. O'Neil and Nadia Ori tied for second (9.825), while Erica Varner tied for third (9.800) with a trio of Redbirds.

Freshman Alyson Cacciatore seems to be locating her comfort zone in her first year of collegiate gymnastics, garnering top honors on beam with a score of 9.850, equaling Illinois State's Carlee Wright.

However, beam was once again the Flames' nemesis, counting three falls on the night. Cacciatore's winning effort and Nadia Ori's 9.775 did aid the UIC cause.

"Nadia's routine on beam was a highlight for us and Alyson also was big," Jansson said.

Jansson feels pretty good about his squad right now, just needing to bandage up the beam routines.

"We just need to take care of the beam mistakes and we'll be all set," said Jansson, as the Flames eye the 195.000 mark.

UIC will continue its cram week, competing for the third time in six days, come Friday. The Flames travel to Gainesville, Florida to tangle with three of the top 19 teams in the nation, including No. 7 Stanford, No. 14 Florida and No. 19 Penn State.