Women’s gymnastics captures win at home

Catherine Dion matched her career high in the all-around. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The women’s gymnastics team hit its mark Sunday and it paid off, producing a season-high score to defeat MIC-opponent Lindenwood, 192.225-189.700, at the Physical Education Building.

The Flames ended the day with four first-place finishes from senior Catherine Dion, junior Gabrielle May and freshman Nicole Szabo.

“It is the first win of the year and the first win in the conference, so we feel really good about those two pieces,” co-head coach Peter Jansson said.

“The bars and floor teams were out there performing like we know they can, so we are really enjoying the steps we are taking forward there.

The Flames are preparing for three meets on the road. First up for UIC is a trip to Mount Pleasant, Mich., where they compete in the annual State of Illinois vs. State of Michigan meet, hosted by Central Michigan, at 1 p.m. Saturday.

On Saturday, the Flames excelled on their first two events after setting season-high scores.

On vault, redshirt junior Kimberly Randall and Dion tied for second place after each posted scores of 9.775. May tied for third with 9.700 to contribute to the team total of 48.175.

UIC won uneven bars after recording a total of 48.950 to the Lions’ 47.750, with Szabo and Dion tying for first with 9.825 and May tying for third with 9.800.

Dion came away with the best score for the Flames on beam with a tally of 9.700 for first place. Freshman Emily DeCesare came in close behind with a 9.675 to tie for second.

In their final rotation, May led the Flames with a career high 9.825 on floor to tie for first. Dion, Szabo and DeCesare followed with scores of 9.775, 9.750 and 9.725 to round out the top five and finish with the team’s best score of the season at 48.750.

Dion matched her career high in the all-around with 39.075 to lead all gymnasts.

May picked up a total of 38.275 and junior Citlali Cuevas collected a 37.675.