Hi Illini Fans!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday seasons spending time with your families, because I know that my team did. Although we are back on campus training, I am always with my family away from home.

Before we went home, we had our team Christmas party where we baked our own holiday treats, made each other unique and festive stockings, and spread the holiday love by filling these stockings with gifts and treats. My favorite part was having the entire team get into our holiday pajamas and taking Christmas pictures.

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel back home to Texas over the break. I loved spending time with my four sisters and brother, and traveling around the city. I made the most of my time with my family and friends as we rode horses, tackled cattle, and did some shopping of course. I had so much fun at home that I almost didn't even want to go back to school!

Our first week back from break, we quickly got refocused on gymnastics and prepared for an intrasquad competition. The energy in the gym was so high, and made me really excited to compete in my first ever NCAA competition.

This weekend we are traveling to Missouri to start up the season against Mizzou. We have been working very hard in the gym and couldn't be more prepared for season to begin. I am so excited to be competing with this group of girls, and wouldn't want to compete in any colors other than Orange and Blue!

GO ILLINI!

- Lizzy LeDuc