Lau, Koliego Earn MIC Gymnastics Weekly Honors

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University gymnasts are celebrating significant achievements this week following a strong showing at Central Michigan. Junior Ally Lau and freshman Jercy Koliego were both recognized by the Midwest Independent Conference (MIC) on Wednesday for their performances.

Individual Honors

Ally Lau earned the MIC Performance of the Week award after achieving a score of 9.825 on the balance beam. This score not only secured her the win in the beam competition but also tied for the highest individual score of the night for the Illinois State Redbirds. Lau shared the honor with Sophia Isbell of Texas Woman’s University.

Did You Know? Jercy Koliego’s award recognizes not only athletic performance but also leadership, team spirit, and contributions to team culture.

Freshman Jercy Koliego was honored as the MIC Newcomer of the Week and also received the MIC Coaches Choice award. Koliego achieved a career-best score of 9.800 on bars, finishing fourth overall against Central Michigan.

Coaches Choice Significance

The MIC Coaches Choice award is presented weekly to student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional qualities beyond athletic skill. Coaches specifically consider leadership, team spirit, and the ability to overcome adversity or positively impact team dynamics when selecting the recipient.

Expert Insight: Recognizing athletes for qualities like leadership and team spirit, as the MIC Coaches Choice award does, highlights the importance of holistic development within collegiate athletics. It suggests a conference-wide value placed on character alongside competitive success.

Looking Ahead

The Illinois State gymnastics team is preparing for a quad meet hosted by Southeast Missouri State on Sunday, February 1. The competition, scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Houck Field House in Cape Girardeau, Mo., will also include Ball State and UW-Oshkosh. The Redbirds could potentially use this meet to refine routines and build momentum as the season progresses. A strong performance could position them favorably within the MIC. It is also possible that the team will experiment with different lineups to assess overall team strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the MIC Performance of the Week award alongside Ally Lau?

Sophia Isbell of Texas Woman’s University shared this week’s MIC Performance of the Week award with Ally Lau.

What score did Jercy Koliego achieve on bars against Central Michigan?

Jercy Koliego scored a 9.800 on bars against Central Michigan, which was a career-best for her.

Where will the Illinois State Redbirds compete next?

The Illinois State Redbirds will compete in a quad meet hosted by Southeast Missouri State on Sunday, February 1, at Houck Field House in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

What does it mean to see freshman athletes like Jercy Koliego immediately recognized for both performance and character within their conference?