Final Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team finished fourth at the 2017 NCAA Champaign Regional on Saturday, earning a 195.825 team score. The Illini earned two top-5 individual finishes as sophomore Lizzy LeDuc took third on the balance beam with a 9.925 score, and redshirt-junior Mary Jane Horth posted a 9.875 on bars to finish in fifth overall. The UCLA Bruins and the Oregon State Beavers will advance to the NCAA National Championships out of the Champaign Regional as the Bruins won the meet with a 196.800 team score.
"I couldn't be more proud of them," said head coach Kim Landrus. "This will be a night that they will remember forever."
The Orange and Blue had a bye during the first rotation, beginning competition on the bars in the second rotation. The Illini tallied a 49.000 team score, led by redshirt-junior Mary Jane Horth who posted a 9.875. Freshman Karen Howell tallied a 9.825 and senior Sarah Lyons scored a 9.80. Both freshman Rae Balthazor and senior Erin Buchanan scored marks of 9.750 to round out Illinois' scoring.
UI moved to beam during the third rotation, putting up a 49.250 team score. LeDuc stuck her dismount to earn a 9.925 while junior Bridget Hodan and sophomores Brielle Nguyen and Haylee Roe each contributed scores of 9.850. Horth and Howell followed with 9.775 marks. After the third rotation, the Illini sat in second place, just behind UCLA, 98.450-98.250.
The fifth rotation found Illinois on the floor. The squad was led on the event by Nguyen, who scored a 9.825. Roe and Buchanan each tallied marks of 9.800, while LeDuc recorded a 9.775. Hodan rounded out the Illinois scoring with a 9.675. The Illini totaled a 48.875 on floor, moving the team total to 147.125. That score kept the Illini in second, tied with Oregon State.
Illinois closed the meet on vault, putting up 48.700 team total. LeDuc led the Orange and Blue with a 9.800, while junior Jordyn Givens and Horth each scored a 9.750. Balthazor and Lyons finished the rotation with marks of 9.700. Oregon State used a 49.250 score on the floor to secure the second-place team position, while the Iowa Hawkeyes used a 49.600 team tally on the beam to pull ahead of the Illini.
"Oh my gosh, our fans are everything to us," said Landrus. "To host the NCAA Regional in Champaign, the entire event staff did a phenomenal job. There are so many alumni in town. It is so meaningful. As I said the other day, they will remember this for a long time."
Saturday's meet marked Illinois' 12th consecutive NCAA Regional appearance, and the first time hosting a Regional since 2012.
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