Huff Hall | University of Illinois Fighting Illini
Huff Hall | University of Illinois Fighting Illini
The University of Illinois' Fighting Illini gymnastics team emerged victorious in a tri-meet on Senior Day, securing first place with a score of 195.825. The competition, held in Champaign, saw Washington finish with 194.875 and Illinois State close behind at 194.775.
In the vault event, Olivia Coppola and Chloe Cho initiated the meet with scores of 9.775 each, while Arielle Ward led the team with a 9.800. This performance put the Illini ahead by 0.125 over Washington and 0.300 over Illinois State after the first rotation.
On the uneven bars, Amelia Knight achieved a season-high score of 9.900, earning her a share of the event title. Chloe Cho added a solid performance with a score of 9.850, while Makayla Green and Arielle Ward both scored 9.800s. At this stage, Illinois increased their lead to be ahead by 0.275 over Illinois State and 0.675 over Washington.
Ruthuja Nataraj's season-high score of 9.875 on the balance beam secured her an event title for the Illini, followed closely by Olivia Coppola's score of 9.850. Despite some challenges during this rotation, Illinois maintained their lead heading into the final event.
Senior gymnast Emmalise Nock delivered an impressive floor routine scoring a second-time season high of 9.900, accompanied by Cho's score of 9.875 and identical scores of 9.825 from Eden King and Tali Joelson.
Chloe Cho topped the all-around leaderboard once again with her outstanding performances throughout the meet.
Head coach Nadalie Walsh expressed pride in her team's efforts: "I'm super proud of the team for their performances tonight," she stated following their victory against adversity due to multiple athletes being unwell that week.
The Fighting Illini will compete next on March 1 at College Park in Maryland against teams from Maryland, Michigan, and Minnesota as part of the Big Four meet.
Event winners included Chloe Cho in All-Around (39.200), Amelia Knight on Uneven Bars (9.900), and Ruthuja Nataraj on Balance Beam (9.875). Kennedy Brown achieved a career high in Floor Exercise with a score of 9.775.
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