Final Results
NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois women's gymnastics team took home their tenth-straight State of Illinois Classic title on Sunday afternoon at Horton Field House. The Orange and Blue scored a 196.150 team score, led by redshirt-junior Mary Jane Horth who won two event titles on vault and beam. UI earned the first place finish over Illinois State (193.550), Northern Illinois (193.550) and UIC (193.525).
"All-in-all I was really pleased with our performance today," said head coach Kim Landrus. "Beam started off the meet strong and we carried that confidence throughout the entire competition. MJ (Mary Jane Horth) taking the vault and beam honors is a reflection of how she learns from each of her performances to better herself every day. I couldn't be more proud of Karen (Howell). Hitting four-for-four routines and ending on bars with a 9.875, shows the grit and determination she has to succeed every day."
The Illini jumped out to an early lead in the meet with a 49.100 team score on beam, led by Horth's 9.875 tally. Sophomores Brielle Nguyen and Lizzy LeDuc each recorded a 9.85 mark. Junior Bridget Hodan recorded a 9.80 and sophomore Haylee Roe scored a 9.725.
The Orange and Blue moved on to floor in the second rotation, posting a 49.200 team score. Hodan matched her season-high mark of 9.875 on the apparatus and LeDuc followed with the same score. Senior Erin Buchanan followed with a 9.85 and Roe and freshman Karen Howell each recorded a 9.80. Illinois led the second place team (NIU) by nearly a point after the second rotation, 98.300-97.325.
UI continued to build a lead in the meet, scoring a 48.825 on vault. Horth led the Illini with a 9.825, LeDuc scored a 9.775 and freshman Rae Balthazor matched her season-high mark by the same tally. Senior Sarah Lyons recorded a 9.75 and Buchanan finished the Illini scoring with a 9.70.
Closing the meet on bars, Illinois produced a 49.025. Howell matched her career-high score of 9.875 to lead the Orange and Blue. Lyons recorded a 9.825, Balthazor tallied a 9.80 and Buchanan scored a 9.775. Horth rounded out the Illinois scoring with a 9.75.
Up next, the Illini will host the Big Five Meet on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT at the State Farm Center. Illinois will welcome Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska and Ohio State to the five-team competition. Admission and parking are free for the Big Five Meet.
Follow the Illini:
FightingIllini.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
