Josh Nilson Associate Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Josh Nilson Associate Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois women's gymnastics achieved their highest score of the season with a 197.275 during Senior Day at Huff Hall in Champaign. The team hosted a quad meet against No. 21 Arizona, No. 13 Missouri, and SEMO. Missouri secured first place with a score of 197.600, while Illinois finished second. Arizona scored 196.875 to take third place, and SEMO finished fourth with 192.700.
Six seniors were honored after the meet: Kaitlyn Ewald, Amelia Knight, Allie Morgan, Abby Mueller, Mia Takekawa, and Mia Townes.
"This was the best night to have our best night," head coach Nadalie Walsh commented. "We were more united today and that made the biggest difference. They were so invested in one another for every routine and that made a big impact. I'm so proud of them for making that connection and not just performing for a score but performing for each other."
Lyden Saltness claimed victory in the bars event with a score of 9.925, while Takekawa won the beam event with a 9.925, her second-highest score this season.
In vault, Townes matched her career high with a score of 9.925 to secure third place. Arielle Ward followed closely with a 9.875 and Mueller earned a 9.850.
On bars, Takekawa placed second behind Saltness with a score of 9.900; Knight also performed well by scoring 9.800 for the third time this season.
Alea Byrne returned to competition on beam by achieving a career-high score of 9.875—the first time she competed on this apparatus since January against UW Oshkosh, Western Michigan, and West Virginia—and shared this achievement with Knight and Ewald who also scored 9.875; Townes added to the team's success by scoring 9.850.
Byrne continued her strong performance on floor exercise by scoring another career-high of 9.950 to finish second behind Missouri's Jocelyn Moore who earned a perfect score of ten points; Townes delivered an impressive routine as well securing her own remarkable result at nine point nine two five points
Looking ahead towards postseason competition Illinois is set travel East Lansing Michigan where they will participate Big Ten Championships scheduled take place Jenison Field House
Alerts Sign-up