ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS DOMINATE

ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS DOMINATE 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 4

Head Coach Bob Starkell.............................6-7 Associate Head Coach Kim Landrus......................8 Assistant Coach Amy Kruse............................9 Student Manager Lori Hamilton.........................10 Support Staff.......................................10 DIA Administration...................................11 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 5

BOB STARKELL HEAD COACH // 10TH SEASON Bob Starkell begins his 10th year at the helm of the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics program, and his 16th year overall at the University of Illinois. Since he took over for former head coach Lynn Brueckman in 2000, Starkell's squads have posted nine of the top-10 team scores in school history, including the school record of 196.300. In 2008, Starkell and the Fighting Illini improved on a stellar 2007 season, finishing the season ranked No. 15 nationally, five spots higher than the programs previous best national ranking set in 2007. Starkell also guided the Illini to a second place finish at the Big Ten Championships, the best since 1990, and a third place finish at the South Central Regional, marking the highest regional finish in program history and narrowly missing a team trip to the NCAA Championships. Furthermore, Starkell helped Nicole Cowart and Allison Buckley advance as individuals to the NCAA Championships in the all-around competition and helped Julie Crall (beam) earn the Illini a Big Ten individual title for the second straight season. Starkell led the 2007 Fighting Illini to new heights, including a third place finish at the Big Ten Championships and a final national rank of No. 20. Illinois advanced to their fourth consecutive regional, where they finished fourth at the South Central Regional for the second straight year. Additionally, senior Cara Pomeroy took home the school's first Big Ten individual title since 1999 under Starkell's guidance. For his success, Starkell was named South Central Regional Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three years. Starkell's 2006 squad finished the season with a national ranking of No. 25 while advancing to the NCAA South Central Regional for the third straight season. The Illini finished in fourth, equaling the best UI regional finish in school history. The Illini also posted a 10-4 record in the regular season. Cara Pomeroy was named first team All-Big Ten for the second straight year, becoming the first Illini in 16 years to accomplish that feat. In 2005, Starkell guided his squad to an NCAA final ranking of 27th. Starkell was honored as the 2005 Big Ten and South Central Regional Coach of the Year after advancing his squad to the NCAA Regional for the second straight year and coaching three All-Big Ten selections. 2004 was equally successful as his squad finished 22nd in the nation and two of his gymnasts advanced to the NCAA National Championships. Ashley Williams (all-around) and Cara Pomeroy (uneven bars) became the first Illini in 17 years to compete at the National meet. Pomeroy scored the first perfect 10.0 in school history on bars to qualify for NCAAs and earned Illinois' first individual regional title since 1977. Under Starkell, Illinois has had 13 All-Big Ten honorees, 37 Scholastic All-Americans and 70 Academic All-Big Ten selections. Prior to being named the head coach, Starkell served as an assistant for the Illini for six years. He was named the 1998 Central Regional Assistant 6 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

HEAD COACH BOB STARKELL Coach of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women. Before Illinois, Starkell served as an assistant coach for Wisconsin-Oshkosh while finishing his bachelor's degree, and then became the head coach for the men's and women's gymnastics teams in 1993. He coached the Lady Titans to a conference championship and a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships in 1993. For his efforts, he was named the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Additionally, Starkell coached many individuals who earned high accolades. He trained a Division II All-American on vault and floor exercise and Division III champions on vault, beam and floor. Starkell also has had great success with the men's squads. Before becoming the head coach for both Oshkosh programs, Starkell served two years as the men's assistant coach. He coached five All-Americans and produced four Division II individual champions, one each on the vault, pommel horse, still rings and floor. One of his gymnasts also became a member of the 1992 U.S. National Team. In addition to his collegiate coaching, Starkell has gained experience coaching at various gymnastics schools and camps. He trained young athletes at the Oshkosh Gymnastics Club and coached for five years at the International Gymnastics School in Pennsylvania. Starkell also worked at the International Gymnastics School summer camp and was the director of the Wisconsin- Oshkosh summer camp. Prior to coming to Illinois, Starkell spent seven years at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, both as a student-athlete and a coach. He competed for the Titans gymnastics team for four years, completing his eligibility in 1990 and earning a B.S. in physical education in 1992. At Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Starkell placed among the top-10 in the floor exercise at the national championships in 1989 and '90, earning All-America honors in '89. Starkell qualified for the NCAA Division III championships in the all-around, while his team qualified for the finals each year he competed. THE STARKELL FILE PERSONAL Originally from California Attended high school in Fond du Lac, Wis Attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and graduated in 1990 with a B.S. in physical education...he and his wife, Lynnette, have two daughters, Haley (9) and Claire (6), and reside in Champaign. Starkell, originally from California, attended high school in Fond du Lac, Wis. During high school, he trained for the Junior National Gymnastics Championships, in which he participated in from 1982-86. Coach Bob Starkell with his wife Lynnette and their two daughters, Haley (9) and Claire (6). COACHING EXPERIENCE Head Coach, University of Illinois - 2000-present Assistant Coach, University of Illinois - 1994-99 Head Coach, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh -1993 (men and women) Assistant Coach, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh - 1991-92 (men) HONORS/AWARDS South Central Regional Coach of the Year - 2007 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year - 2005 South Central Regional Coach of the Year - 2005 Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year 1998 RECORD AT ILLINOIS Big Ten Regional Final NCAA Year Duals Finish Finish Rank 2008 6-10 2nd 3rd 15 2007 9-8 3rd 4th 20 2006 10-4 7th 4th 25 2005 17-5 5th 6th 27 2004 10-7 6th 5th 22 2003 7-12 6th -- 47 2002 6-16 6th -- 46 2001 3-13 7th -- 45 2000 7-10 T-5th -- 41 Total 75-85 -- -- -- 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 7

THE COACHING STAFF KIM LANDRUS ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH // SEVENTH SEASON Kim Landrus is in her seventh year as a coach for the Illini, and her third year as associate head coach after being promoted in the fall of 2006. Landrus came to the University of Illinois in September 2002, and now serves as recruiting coordinator, in addition to her previous duties. Landrus primarily coaches the balance beam for the Illini. Additionally, she choreographs beam routines, structures day-to-day practices and monitors the conditioning program for the gymnasts. Outside of the gym, she plays a vital role in both on-and-off campus recruiting. Landrus has had much success during her six-year tenure on the Illinois staff. From 2004-08, she led the Illini to five straight NCAA Regional appearances, and has helped make the Illini a regular in the weekly top-25 polls. Last season, she helped guide the Illini to their best season in recent memory, highlighted by a second place Big Ten finish, a third place regional finish, a final national ranking of No. 15, and two individual qualifiers to the NCAA Championships. Since Landrus arrival, the Illini beam squads have recorded seven of the top 10 scores on the event in school history. In addition, Landrus helped Julie Crall earn the 2008 Big Ten Balance Beam title. Landrus garnered the NCAA South Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year in 2005, and helped qualify two University of Illinois individuals to the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2008, something that hadn't been done since 1987. Prior to the 2002-03 season, Landrus spent two years as an assistant coach for Iowa State University. At Iowa State, her beam team finished in the top-10 nationally in 2002 with a season-high ranking of fourth. Before her coaching career, Landrus was one of the most decorated gymnasts in Cyclone history. She was ISU's firstever national qualifier in 1997, a two-time All Big XII Conference pick, the school's Most Valuable Gymnast in 1996 and '97, and she recorded the first 10.0 in school history with a perfect performance on the floor exercise at the 1997 Big XII Championships. The fouryear letterwinner was named ISU's Woman Athlete of the Year in 1997. In addition to her stellar athletic career, Landrus also excelled in the classroom. She was a four-time academic all-conference selection, a two-time GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American and was in the top two percent of her class when she earned a Bachelor of Science in finance in 1997. Landrus received the Big XII Postgraduate Scholarship and the NCAA Women's Enhancement Program Postgraduate Scholarship after earning her undergraduate degree. From 1998-2000, Landrus earned an MBA degree, while serving as a graduate assistant in compliance for the university. She also was the Iowa State gymnastics meet director, and coached at Cardinal Gymnastics Academy in Ames, Iowa. She completed her master's degree in business administration in May 2000. Landrus and her husband Steve reside in Champaign and are expecting their first child in January of 2009. THE LANDRUS FILE PERSONAL Maiden Name: Mazza Education: Iowa State University Bachelor of Science in Finance, 1997 Master s in Business Administration, 2000 Family: Husband: Steve COACHING EXPERIENCE Associate Head Coach, University of Illinois - 2006-Present Assistant Coach, University of Illinois - 2002-2006 Assistant Coach, Iowa State University - 2000-2002 Coach, Cardinal Gymnastics Academy (Ames, Iowa) - 1998-2000 HONORS/AWARDS South Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year 2005 8 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

AMY KRUSE ASSISTANT COACH // THIRD SEASON Amy Kruse is in her third year as an assistant coach at Illinois, serving as the Illini vault and floor exercise coach. In addition, Kruse is responsible for floor choreography and music selection and also coordinates the conditioning program for the team. Outside the gym, she plays a key role in recruiting and Illinois alumni relations. Last season, Kruse was named the NCAA South Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year after helping the Illini earn a final national ranking of No. 15, the highest final ranking in school history, and sending two individuals to compete at the NCAA Championships. In just two seasons with the Orange and Blue, she has helped coach the Illini to their fourth and fifth consecutive regional appearances, including a third place regional finish in 2008, the highest finish ever for the Illini women. In addition, Kruse played a big role in leading the Illini to a second place finish at the 2008 Big Ten Championships, the highest finish in a conference championship meet since 1990. Both the vault and floor exercise events have been very strong since Kruse s arrival. In two seasons, Kruse s vault team has recorded seven of the top 10 team scores on the event in school history, including the school record (49.150, vs. UIC, 2008) and the top individual vault score in school history (T-1: Allison Buckley, 9.925, 2008). Floor exercise has seen similar success under Kruse s tutelage, collecting nine individual titles in 2008, and recording a season high of 49.100 at the State of Illinois Classic. Kruse came to Illinois from Phoenix Gymnastics Academy (PGA) where she coached all levels with her event focus on beam and floor. Prior to PGA, Kruse worked at Nebraska School of Gymnastics from 2001-03, assisting on all events. Kruse, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, was a four-year letter winner at the University of Nebraska from 1998-2001. She was a second team All- American on floor exercise and Nebraska's Most Improved Gymnast in 2000. Throughout her memorable four-year career, Kruse helped the Huskers advance to the Super Six team finals three times while earning career highs of 39.25 in all-around, 9.85 on vault, 9.825 on bars, 9.925 on beam, and a 9.95 on floor. She was a member of the Commissioner's Honor Roll and was named to the Academic All Big XII. After exhausting her eligibility, Kruse served both as a student assistant and volunteer coach for the Huskers. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts emphasizing in graphic design from Nebraska in 2002. Kruse resides in Champaign with her husband, Colby, daughters Jayda (4), and Londyn (2), and son Ryder (6 months). THE KRUSE FILE PERSONAL Maiden Name: Ringo Education: University of Nebraska, 2002 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Family: Husband: Colby, daughters: Londyn and Jayda, son: Ryder COACHING EXPERIENCE Assistant Coach, University of Illinois - 2006-Present Coach, Phoenix Gymnastics Academy - 2004-2006 Volunteer Assistant Coach, University of Nebraska - 2003 Coach, Nebraska School of Gymnastics - 2001-2003 Undergraduate Assistant Coach, University of Nebraska - 2001-2002 HONORS/AWARDS South Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year 2008 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 9

LORI HAMILTON STUDENT MANAGER // SECOND SEASON SUPPORT STAFF Hamilton is in her second season as a student manager for the Fighting Illini. As a freshman, she was a member of the gymnastics team but did not compete due to injury and, last year, she retired from the sport because of the injury. Hamilton aids the coaching staff and team in various duties both at practices and competitions. She is a junior majoring in business. A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Hamilton came to Illinois in the fall of 2006 as a four-time Canadian National Qualifier. She was a member of the 2003 and 2005 first-place teams at Eastern Canadians and placed fifth in the all-around, third on floor and seventh on bars at 2005 Canadian Nationals. She was a two-time Provincial Tour Selection, finishing second on bars and beam and fourth in the all-around at the 2004 Tour Selection. She helped lead her team to the Championship and finished third place on bars and seventh in the all-around at the 2003 Canada Winter Games. Lori is the daughter of Ian Hamilton and Cheryl Leggat-Hamilton. She says she chose Illinois because it was the perfect combination of academic and athletic excellence. The team was so close-knit and welcoming. They made me feel at home. Kathy Hug Assistant Athletic Director Lenny Willis Director of Athletic Facilities Kristin Kane Academic Counselor Heather Hellman Athletic Trainer Sara Rhodes Office Manager Terry Conlon Director of Concessions Rick Raven Equipment Manager Allison Berg Assistant Ticket Manager Ali Fairchild Marketing & Promotions Derek Neal Assistant SID 10 // 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS

DIA ADMINISTRATION Dana Brenner Kent Brown Steve Greene Chris Hanna Mike Hatfield Associate Asst. Athletic Director Director of Development Asst. Athletic Director Associate Director Athletic Director Media Relations Big Ten Network Marketing & Sales of Development Jason Heggemeyer Warren Hood Vince Ille Marty Kaufmann Pat Kreger Asst. Athletic Director Associate Associate Asst. Athletic Director Associate Director of Ticketing Athletic Director Athletic Director Corporate Sponsorship Development, Chicago Tom Michael Howard Milton Chris Peacock Nancy Sottos Chris Tuttle Asst. Athletic Director Asst. Athletic Director Associate Director of Faculty Director of Academics Development Compliance Representative Varsity I Associatioin Brian Walsh Shawn Wax Matthew B. Wheeler Susan Young Summer Camp Assoc. Athletic Director Faculty Associate Athletic Director/ Director External Relations Representative SWA 2009 ILLINOIS WOMEN S GYMNASTICS // 11