McLean County Times

The Illinois State gymnastics team celebrated a successful evening at the Midwest Independent Conference Awards Banquet in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Redbirds received four awards for their achievements during the 2025 gymnastics season.

Senior Jaye Mack was recognized as the MIC Co-Athlete of the Year and also received the MIC Woman of the Year Award. Her classmate, Alana Laster, was voted the MIC Senior of the Year by league coaches. Additionally, ISU head coach Bob Conkling was named MIC Coach of the Year.

Mack continued a tradition of excellence for Illinois State by becoming the fifth consecutive Redbird to be named Athlete of the Year, following four wins by Angelica Labat from 2021-24. Mack has participated in every meet on vault, beam, and floor this season and is ranked second in NQS on vault (9.860) and third on floor (9.860) within the conference.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Mack became the first Redbird to earn the MIC Woman of the Year honor. This award recognizes an athlete's contributions based on academics, service, and leadership.

Laster became the first ISU gymnast since Gabrielle Cooke in 2020 to receive the MIC Senior of the Year award. She is a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier and is positioned to qualify again on vault in 2025 with a national ranking of No. 36 individually. Laster leads into the championship with top individual NQS scores on both vault (9.870) and floor (9.875).

Conkling earned his second MIC Coach of the Year award after previously winning it in 2022. In his 20th season as head coach, he aims to lead Illinois State to their second conference title in three years.

The Redbirds will compete for another conference championship at Centenary against Centenary, Southeast Missouri State, and Texas Woman's University at 4 p.m. CT at Gold Dome.