“It wasn’t what we had planned,” ISU gymnastics head coach Robert Conkling said.

After finishing its final home meet this past weekend, the Illinois State gymnastics team was unable to achieve a team Regionals appearance after battling through a season full of injuries.  

The Redbird gymnastics team, however, still has much to look forward to as seniors Erica Schick and Hannah Deutsch found a spot in Regionals competition as individuals.

Schick will be competing in the all-around event, while Deutsch will be an alternate in the balance beam after a record year.

Nathan Kelly / Daily Vidette Photographer: ISU senior Erica Schick will compete in the all-around event at Regionals April 2 in Norman, Okla.

Each of the women will be competing against some of the top gymnasts in the country.

Regionals is split up into six different regions each of which include six different teams from across the country. In order for Schick and Deutsch to advance, they must score higher than the four individuals in their region and beat the bottom four teams.

Competing in Regionals since freshman year, Schick understands that this meet will be different than her past three. After recently injuring her ankle, Schick has been working quickly to get it back in competing condition before next week’s meet.

“We’re just going to play it by ear for now,” Schick said. “Regionals is a great experience for everyone because it gives you the chance to prove to yourself what you can do, but I’m not going to force anything. I’m satisfied with where I’m at and thankful for having the chance to compete in the meet.”

Nathan Kelly / Daily Vidette Photographer: ISU senior Hannah Deutsch will be an alternate in the balance beam event at Regionals with teammate Schick.

During Regionals next week, Schick and Deutsch will be unable to have their teammates down on the floor with them as they prepare for the meet.

“It’s always a different vibe on floor without your team there,” Schick said. “But no matter where the meet ends up being, the team always seems to show up and support and it really helps out overall.”

While seniors Schick and Deutsch prepare for what could be the final meet of their gymnastics career, the rest of the team begins to pack up their gear with their sights set on next year.

Schick and Deutsch will compete in Regionals April 2, in Norman, Okla., where they hope to score high enough to advance to the next round of competition.