Chambana Sun

The Illinois Women's Gymnastics team secured a victory over the UC Davis Aggies with a score of 195.475-194.050, advancing to Round 2 of the NCAA Regionals. Coach Nadalie Walsh expressed pride in her team's performance under pressure and is hopeful for even better results in the subsequent round. "I'm very proud of the team for handling the pressure associated with competing in Round 1," said Walsh. "They stuck together and did what they needed to do to advance, but I truly believe their best performances are going to come tomorrow night. This team has the drive and hunger to do great things, so I'm excited for them to get some rest and show up tomorrow ready to go!"

During the competition, the team displayed strength on multiple apparatuses. Chloe Cho and Mareli Muller both scored 9.750s on vault, with Eden King achieving a 9.800, tying for the event title. On the uneven bars, the Illinois gymnasts excelled, with Kennedy Brown starting strong with a 9.700, followed by Destiny Denning's 9.775, Arielle Ward’s 9.800, and Cho’s 9.900. Makayla Green matched her career high with a 9.925, leading her team on this event.

In the third rotation, Megan Sapp scored a 9.725 on beam, followed by Lyden Saltness with a 9.750 and Cho who continued her strong performance with a 9.850. On the floor exercise, the team’s efforts were spearheaded by Tali Joelson's 9.775, Brown’s 9.750, and Olivia Coppola’s 9.800, before King tied her career high of 9.900, sharing the floor title.

The Illini will face Oklahoma, Auburn, and Nebraska next, with the competition scheduled for April 4 at 9 p.m. CT.

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