The women’s gymnastics team won its third-straight meet at Huff Hall on Sunday. The women took first by posting a score of 193.875, finishing ahead of Northern Illinois, who scored 191.525, and the Japan All-Stars, who finished with a score of 189.950.

The Illini dominated the meet in front of nearly 1,200 fans – boosted by 650 local girl scouts and returning women’s gymnastics alumni. Illinois captured all four individual event titles, with redshirt senior co-captain Kara Kapernekas leading the way with titles on beam and floor.

“Kara’s starting to feel better; she had a shoulder injury the beginning of the year, and I think just now she’s starting to feel really good,” said head coach Bob Starkell.

Sophomore Cara Pomeroy continued her great season by capturing her third-straight bars title, her fifth of the season. Sophomore Danye Botterman provided the spark on vault with her first event title of the season.

“Danye was fired up from the time she came in here, and I could tell right away she was going to have a good day,” Starkell said. “It was probably one of her best days of the season.”

The Illini led from start to finish, beginning with vault. Botterman’s score of 9.750 was first, while Ashley Williams placed fourth with a 9.675.

“In practice lately, we’ve been working more on landings, and sticking them, and practicing that this week paid off in the meet,” Botterman said. “I’m definitely getting my confidence up every week, just by working hard in the gym. The entire team is excited because of the wins, and each week we’re working harder to keep it up.”

On bars, Pomeroy led the way with a 9.900, while freshman Krystal Melcarek finished third with a score of 9.725.

“I’m excited; I went into the meet wanting to do my best and did it,” Pomeroy said. “My confidence is good right now, and I just hope to keep hitting the routines like I’ve been.”

Kapernekas won her second beam title of the season with a score of 9.825, while Pomeroy, junior Katie Wild and senior Margaret Dann tied for third place with scores of 9.800. Kapernekas also led the Illini on floor with a 9.825, while Wild finished fourth with a score of 9.725.

“It was really exciting to be at home, and the crowd was awesome,” Kapernekas said. “It’s a good feeling to win. We hit our routines all the time in practice, but it’s a different situation when you’re actually competing. It’s a lot more pressure, and it’s really exciting when you hit under pressure.”

Starkell still saw room for improvement.

“Some of our seniors are trying to be a little too perfect right now and are having some uncharacteristic mistakes,” Starkell said. “Team-wise, however, we accomplished what we wanted.”

He expects better results next week.

“A win’s great, and it lets you leave the gym in a good mood,” Starkell said. “This group is hungrier than that, and they know this kind of performance will not take them deep into the postseason. Hopefully next week we can really have a great weekend.”