University of Illinois
Orange & Blue
Orange Team Takes Tiebreaker for Exhibition Victory
December 9, 2017 | Men's Gymnastics, Women's Gymnastics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's and women's gymnastics programs held their annual Orange and Blue Exhibition Saturday at Huff Gym. The Orange Team earned a narrow victory by way of a "stick-off" tiebreaker, as the two teams were locked at 10 through four rotations.
"I saw some amazing gymnastics and I saw some guys really step up," head men's coach Justin Spring said. "I saw some nervous freshmen, which is pretty much the point of this event. It helps us prepare for the season and it really helps that there was a big, solid, loud crowd, so thank you to everyone who showed up. I thought I saw a lot of guys get those first meet jitters out of the way and that's good because we have the season coming up right around the corner."
"I think my first Orange and Blue was exciting," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "It was so fun being able to be out here and even though it is a little bit different going back and forth and not having an athlete on every single event, it was so awesome to see the team just carrying themselves. I am so excited too because I got to see a true testament to the kind of competitive spirit my athletes have and I cannot wait until we get into season."
Results
| Event | Team Orange | Team Blue | Winner | |
| FX | Jacob Light | vs. | Blake Martin | Blue Team |
| UB | Rachael Donovan | vs. | Jordyn Givens | Orange Team |
| SR | Dennis Minton | vs. | Joel Diaz | Orange Team |
| BB | Rae Balthazor | vs. | Nicole Biondi | Blue Team |
| PH | Harry McLellan | vs. | Andreas Silbermann | Blue Team |
| FX | Bridget Hodan | vs. | Haylee Roe | Orange Team |
| PB | Sebastian Quiana | vs. | Joel Diaz | Orange Team |
| UB | Rae Balthazor | vs. | Nicole Biondi | Orange Team |
| HB | Ross Thompson | vs. | Alex Diab | Orange Team |
| VT | Lindsay Dwyer | vs. | Brittany Jones | Orange Team |
| PB | Johnny Jacobson | vs. | Tyson Bull | Blue Team |
| FX | Nicole Biondi | vs. | Tessa Phillips | Orange Team |
| SR | Bobby Baker | vs. | Alex Diab | Orange Team |
| BB | Rachael Donovan | vs. | Haylee Roe | Blue Team |
| PH | Michael Paradise | vs. | Brandon Ngai | Blue Team |
| UB | Lindsay Dwyer | vs. | Karen Howell | Blue Team |
| FX | Sebastian Quiana | vs. | Max Diab | Orange Team |
| VT | Kasey Meeks | vs. | Jordyn Givens | Blue Team |
| HB | Chandler Eggleston | vs. | Tyson Bull | Blue Team |
| BB | Bridget Hodan | vs. | Karen Howell | Blue Team |
Up Next
The men's team will begin its regular season by competing in the Windy City Invitational, held in Chicago on January 13. Meet competition is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Illini women will travel to Piscataway, N.J., to take on Rutgers on January 13, at 12 p.m. CT.
