Chambana Sun

Illinois concluded its 2025 regular gymnastics season with a victory over Northern Illinois, winning by a margin of 1.400 points, with final scores of 194.875 to 193.475.

The competition began with the Fighting Illini achieving four consecutive sticks on vault. Mareli Muller and Chloe Cho both scored 9.825, tying for the event title, while Olivia Coppola followed closely with a score of 9.800.

On the uneven bars, Destiny Denning, Makayla Green, and Cho each earned scores of 9.800, sharing first place in this event as well.

Ruthuja Nataraj and Coppola led on the balance beam with scores of 9.800 each, earning them shares of the title in this category too. Eden King contributed with a score of 9.775.

The team ended their performance on floor exercise where Cho and King both achieved scores of 9.875 to tie for the title again. Kennedy Brown and Emmalise Nock followed with scores of 9.850 each, while Tali Joelson and Coppola completed the scoring with identical marks of 9.825.

Chloe Cho secured third place in the all-around competition with an overall score of 38.800.

"Being back in Huff Hall was exactly what the team needed," said head coach Nadalie Walsh after the meet concluded successfully at home ground. "I am really proud of this team's ability to stay positive in the midst of some injury setbacks, and I'm looking forward to seeing them make a strong entrance into the postseason at Big Tens."

Walsh highlighted several key performances: "Eden, Mareli, Chloe, Olivia, Ruthu and Makayla continued to capture titles this week." She expressed optimism about future competitions: "Adding a few more confident routines will be a game changer for next weekend."

Looking ahead to their postseason journey, Illinois will compete at the Big Ten Championships held in Ann Arbor on March 22 during Session II starting at 11 a.m CT.