Results

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The No. 24 Fighting Illini women's gymnastics garnered its second victory of the weekend Sunday, garnering a road win over Lindenwood, 195.875-193.550.  

"We got off to a slow start on bars. However, the girls rebounded on vault to produce a season-high. That was important for this group," head coach Kim Landrus said. "However, we've got to figure out a way to minimize our mistakes. We had too many errors throughout the night."

Including the all-around, the Illini took home titles on every event except floor. Sunny Kato earned two crowns on the day, taking the bars title with a 9.825. Kato shared the beam crown with Lizzy LeDuc, totaling a 9.925. Erin Buchanan and Giana O'Connor claimed the vault crown with a 9.875. In the all-around, O'Connor placed first (39.375) and Buchanan followed with a second place finish, producing a 39.200. LeDuc placed third with a 38.700.

"It's March now ... Championship time. My emphasis is making sure each and every one of them brings it to practice every day," Landrus said. "That will definitely be key down the stretch."

Starting the meet on bars, Illinois produced a 48.525 and trailed Lindenwood early on. Sunny Kato produced a 9.825 to lead the Illini and take home the crown. O'Connor produced a 9.750 that placed second, while Buchanan and Sarah Lyons finished the meet in third place with a 9.725. Givens (9.500) added to the team total.

In the second rotation, Illinois produced a season-best on vault for the second consecutive meet. The Orange and Blue totaled a 49.050, led by O'Connor and Buchanan who produced a 9.875 that placed first. Buchanan achieved a season-best routine. LeDuc tied her career-high with a 9.825. Heather Foley (9.750) and Lyons (9.725) also counted scores.

On floor in the third rotation, the Illini totaled a 48.900. O'Connor produced 9.850 to lead the squad and place second. LeDuc followed with a 9.825 and Buchanan added a 9.800. Illinois also counted scores from Roe (9.775), who tied her season-best, and Foley (9.650).  

Finishing the meet on beam, Illinois totaled a 49.400 that ranks second-best in program history. Lizzy LeDuc and Sunny Kato placed first with a 9.925. LeDuc achieved a career-best routine. O'Connor followed with a 9.900 that finished in third. Hodan (9.850) and Buchanan (9.800) also counted scores.

Up next, the Illini return home to host the State of Illinois Classic on March 5 a 4 p.m. inside Huff Hall.