In most team sports the entire squad concludes its season at the same time, but two ISU gymnasts ended their campaign two weeks after the rest of the Redbirds did at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships March 24.

Junior Kim Genereux and freshman Sami King both competed in the all-around event at the Champaign Regional Saturday. Genereux placed ninth out of all competitors that were not on an advancing team to nationals and 13th overall with a 38.625 score.         

Meanwhile, King finished as the 12th individual not associated with a nationals-bound squad and 16th overall with a score of 38.45.

“Honestly, they both did great,” ISU head coach Bob Conkling said. “It was good for them both to see the competition, especially with who they were rotating with.”

The duo missed the cut for nationals from the Champaign Regional, as only the top two teams and top two all-around competitors not part of an advancing team will compete in the national championships in Duluth, Ga., April 20–22.

Oklahoma claimed first place in the team competition with 197.025 points and Stanford earned a second-place finish with a score of 196.675. This enabled both the Sooners and Cardinal to qualify for nationals. Illinois was on the outside looking in, finishing in third place with a 195.725 score.

Fighting Illini junior Alina Weinstein scored a 39.45 and Denver sophomore Moriah Martin recorded 39.2 points to place first and second respectively in the all-around competition for members not on nationals-bound teams.

The uneven parallel bars was the best event for both ISU gymnasts. Genereux earned a score of 9.775, while King registered a 9.75 tally.

However, Conkling believes lower scores on the other events prevented the two gymnasts from having even better showings. Genereux scored a 9.65 on vault, 9.55 on beam, and 9.65 on floor. King earned 9.475 on vault, 9.65 on beam, and 9.575 on floor.

“There were a couple spots that both of them could have done better on, particularly on beam and floor,” Conkling said. “If they had, they’d be right up with the placing teams.”

Neither Genereux nor King are seniors, so they both return next season. Conkling believes the accomplishments by the two gymnasts this year will carry over into the 2013 campaign.

“I absolutely feel that the success in this season will foreshadow success in the upcoming season,” Conkling said. “They are ready for a little mini break, and then they will be right back in the gym working hard for next season.”

When reflecting on the season, Conkling is not only happy with Genereux and King’s successes but also the team as a whole. The Redbirds concluded their season with a MIC Championships title and Conkling has a positive outlook for next season.

“I am proud of both of the gymnasts, but I am proud of the whole team,” Conkling said. “It has been the best season since I have been here in all aspects of gymnastics. The whole team stepped up this year and worked on consistency and eliminating deductions.

“It was good that Kim and Sami qualified for Regionals this year, and the team was able to watch. Now, they know what it takes to make it as a team to Regionals and can work towards that goal,” Conkling said.