Highlights | Results (PDF) | Spring Interview | Landrus Interview
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini gymnastics teams made their 2015-16 debuts at the Orange & Blue Exhibition on Sunday afternoon at Huff Hall, with the Blue team taking a 11-9 victory.
"This is always a very exciting event and it is a great way for the team to get out and show what they have been working for all pre-season," head coach Kim Landrus said. "We're excited to open up our season in one month."
"On the men's side, I thought we did an exceptional job," shared Illinois men's head coach Justin Spring. "I saw a lot of high points. Mistakes are inevitable in the first part of the year; this is an exhibition, this is why we hold it. But in general, I thought the gymnastics was very strong and got me pretty excited moving into another big season."
The Blue Team jumped out to an early 3-2 lead after the first rotation and never looked back. After Giana O'Connor started the meet off with a victory on uneven bars for the Orange Team, Blake Martin and Heather Foley earned wins for the Blue Team on floor and beam, respectively. Brandon Ngai responded for the Orange Team to even the score with a win on pommel horse and Mary Jane Horth followed with a win on floor for the Blue Team.
The Blue Team came out strong in the second and third rotations, claiming eight of the 10 matchups. Alex Diab garnered a victory on still rings and Erin Buchanan followed with a win on bars for the Blue Team. Bobby Baker posted a win for the Orange Team on parallel bars, before Bridget Hodan and Logan Bradley claimed wins for the Blue Team on floor and pommel horse.
To open the third rotation, Lizzy LeDuc kept the momentum on Blue's side with a win on balance beam. Matt Foster and Horth continued with wins for the Blue Team on parallel and uneven bars. Max Mayr garnered a victory on high bar for the Orange Team and Foley finished the third rotation with a victory for the Blue Team on floor.
The Orange Team put forth a valiant effort to cut into the lead, sweeping all the matches in the fourth rotation. Baker kicked it off with a win on floor followed by Sunny Kato's victory on beam. To finish the meet, Tom Gibbs won on still rings, followed by Giana O'Connor on floor and Tyson Bull on high bar.
The Illini women's team begins regular-season action on Jan. 8, at Missouri at 6:30 p.m., while the men's team opens its 2016 slate one day later inside Huff Hall on Jan. 9, at 4 p.m. when UIC comes to town.
