Results | Printable Results | Landrus Post Meet Interview | Photo Gallery

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The No. 11 Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team dropped a close meet to No. 4 Michigan in Ann Arbor Sunday afternoon. In a showdown between two of the top three teams in the Big Ten, the Wolverines came out on top defeating the Illini 196.850-195.475.

"The main takeaway from today's meet is that we must use it as a learning experience to improve the rest of the season," head coach Kim Landrus said. "In our sport the culmination of little mistakes add up, and we made too many of those today."

Junior Giana O'Connor led Illinois with a career-high 39.350, which placed her tied for third in the all-around. O'Connor shared an event title with Sachi Sugiyama on vault with a 9.875. Sophomore Erin Buchanan also delivered a great performance, as she achieved a career-high all-around score of 39.150.

"Giana and Erin both had career best days in the all-around," Landrus said. "It's exciting because I know they both want more and will strive to get better each week. This will only make our team stronger as the team continues to push each other to achieve personal best performances."

The Illini started on bars where they scored a 49.000 for the second straight week. O'Connor led with a 9.850, good for second place along with Michigan's Brianna Brown. Buchanan and senior Sunny Kato also secured strong routines, both achieving a 9.800. Illinois also counted scores from sophomore Sarah Lyons (9.775) and senior Jordan Naleway (9.775).

The Wolverines increased their lead after a strong second rotation on bars that resulted in a 49.100. Meanwhile on vault, Illinois recorded a 48.775, led by O'Connor's season-high 9.875 that tied for the highest vault score of the day. Buchanan landed her season-best vault score of 9.825, good for fourth place. Sophomore Mary Jane Horth (9.750), junior Heather Foley (9.700) and Lyons (9.625) also counted scores.

On floor in the third rotation, O'Connor was the only Illini to score above a 9.8, as Illinois totaled a 48.750. O'Connor's 9.850 placed her tied for third in the event on the day. The Illini sent out five, counting scores from Naleway (9.775), Foley (9.725), Buchanan (9.700) and Horth (9.700).

In the final rotation, Illinois scored a season-best 48.950 on beam. Buchanan posted a career-high 9.825, surpassing her previous high of 9.800 that she set last weekend. Kato also produced a 9.825, which tied for the fourth best score in the event. O'Connor and Horth followed with a 9.775. Foley's 9.750 was the last score to count in the event.

Up next, the Orange and Blue return home next weekend for their annual Pink Meet to host Penn State. Both the Illini men's and women's gymnastics teams will be in action at Huff, starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.