CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team opens up regular season competition on Friday against the Missouri Tigers and Ball State Cardinals. The meet will take place in Columbia, Mo., beginning at 7 p.m. on SEC Network +.
The Fighting Illini begin the 2017 season ranked 24th in the NACGC Preseason poll. With 11 returning gymnasts and a standout freshman class, the Orange and Blue are looking to build upon the 2016 season, where the program finished at No. 25 in the final rankings.
Coach Landrus' Class-by-Class Breakdown:
Seniors
"Erin Buchanan and Sarah Lyons return for their senior season with a great deal of competitive experience. Not only should they see a lot of action on the competition floor, but their veteran leadership will be essential to lead our young team on a daily basis. I am confident that they will rise to the occasion to make their senior year a memorable one."
Juniors
"Look for the junior class to build upon their previous years and "rise above". Mary Jane Horth, a redshirt-junior and team captain, will be instrumental in influencing the rest of the team as she is one of the finest leaders by example that has been a part of this program. She understands what it takes to be amongst the best and I am confident that she will instill these values in the underclassmen."
"After becoming the 2016 Most Improved Gymnast, Bridget Hodan will once again be a staple in the beam and floor lineups, while providing depth on both vault and bars. She exudes a great deal of confidence and will be counted on for the prestigious lead-off spot on the balance beam."
"Becca Cuppy and Jordyn Givens should both see action in the lineups, as well. It will be key for them to build on their 2016 experiences and take that next step in their careers to see more consistent competition time. They have both worked hard in the preseason and will be fighting for lineup spots on their respective events."
Sophomores
"The sophomore class will be led by Lizzy LeDuc, who competed in the all-around 12 times in her freshman campaign. Her experience from NCAA Nationals, should ignite both her and the team on "the Road to St. Louis."
"Rachael Donovan, Julia Hutcherson, Brielle Nguyen and Haylee Roe are all eager to see more competitive action in 2017. It will be exciting to see how this class emerges now that they have a year of experience behind them."
Freshmen
"The foursome of Brittany Jones, Karen Howell, Rae Balthazor, and Lindsay Dwyer have so much to offer. It will be key that they allow themselves to adapt to the college environment and feed off the positive vibes that come with collegiate competition. Although, they each have their own trademarks, this group has bonded so well with one another which allows them to push each other daily. I am confident that this class will make huge contributions to the success of the team and I can't wait for them to get started!"
Coach Landrus' Event-by-Event Breakdown
Vault
"The team has worked very hard in the offseason to climb in the rankings this year on vault. Lyons and Buchanan, along with Horth and LeDuc will lead the vault team. It will be critical to our success for them to consistently focus on amplitude and execution, while giving away minimal deductions on the landings. By doing this, the rest of the vault team will be 'shown the way'. Several individuals have the ability to step in and be part of what should be a much-improved vault team. Look Balthazor, Dwyer, Howell, Jones, Roe and Givens to be amongst those fighting for lineup spots."
Uneven Bars
"Bars will have a slightly different look than in 2016 as several underclassmen will be in the mix for a lineup spot. Howell, Horth and Lyons, will be three staples in the bar squad. Their level of difficulty, combined with their clean lines, will allow them to demonstrate the "clean and consistent" philosophy that has been so important over the last decade for the Illini. Others that will see a great deal of competition time are Donovan and Leduc, along with Balthazor and Dwyer. Buchanan, Givens and Jones will provide depth to the bar squad and should all see competitive action in 2017."
Balance Beam
"The beam team will be led by Hodan, Horth and LeDuc. They will have a deep contingent vying for spots to complete the lineup. After a very successful preseason, Howell, Roe, Nguyen and Buchanan are expected to contribute significantly to this event. As a whole, beam will be fun to watch as each athlete possesses their own style that will engage the audience. I am confident that the returnees will set the tone for those that have not been regulars in the lineup, so that this group continues to excel on the event in 2017."
Floor Exercise
"Floor will have a 'new look' this year as each routine has a uniqueness to its choreography that will be entertaining to judges and fans. The top two floor performers return from 2016 in Buchanan and LeDuc. They will lead a very talented floor squad with Hodan, Nguyen and Roe all on track to see significant lineup time. After sitting out most of 2016, Horth is expected to return to action on this event later in the year. Look for Balthazor, Howell, Cuppy and Givens to also make a great impact. This competitiveness for lineup spots should push the team to reach new heights on the event."
All-Around
"Based on the formula that the top six athletes make the lineup on each event, I foresee three athletes vying for all-around spots on a consistent basis. Howell, LeDuc and Horth all will be counted on to lead the team on four events as the season progresses. LeDuc and Horth bring a wealth of experience, while Howell will be a steady performer that displays a mentality that is always trying to be 'that much better' every turn."
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