Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 25 Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team produced a record-breaking beam total (49.425) to defeat Michigan State Friday night in East Lansing. Illinois totaled a season-best team score in the 196.300-195.575 victory. With the win, Illinois maintains control of the Victory Plank for the seventh straight year.
"Tonight was a total team effort. The energy was high from the first routine to the last," head coach Kim Landrus said. "The 'feel' was different. They were having fun and focusing on the process. Each event built on the one before. I could not be more proud of the positive changes I saw today."
Illinois garnered four titles Friday night, highlighted by senior Sunny Kato's beam performance. Kato produced a 9.950 on beam to tie the all-time school record on the event, a record she previously held. Giana O'Connor produced a 39.325 to take home the all-around crown. O'Connor also finished first on vault (9.900) and floor (9.900).
For the first time this season, Illinois had three all-arounders total above a 39.200. Lizzy LeDuc produced a season-best for the third consecutive meet, totaling a 39.300 on the night. Erin Buchanan tied her season-best with a 39.200.
Illinois led Michigan State 48.775-48.725 after the first rotation, with the Illini totaling their third best bars total on the season. Sarah Lyons and Jordyn Givens led the Illini with a 9.800 that placed fifth. Givens was impressive in her first competitive bars routine. LeDuc garnered a 9.775, while Buchanan (9.750) and O'Connor (9.650) also counted scores.
In the second rotation Illinois produced a 49.000 on vault, tying its season-best total on the event. O'Connor led with a season-best 9.900 that tied for first. LeDuc followed with a career-best 9.825 that placed second. Lyons produced a 9.775 in her first competitive vault of the season. Buchanan (9.775) and Foley (9.725) rounded out the team total.
The Illini began to distance themselves from the Spartans after the third rotation. Illinois produced a 49.100 on floor, its third-best total on the event this season. O'Connor led with a 9.900. Buchanan and LeDuc followed with a 9.825. Brielle Nguyen and Haylee Roe each produced a season-best 9.775.
Illinois finished with a bang on beam in the last rotation, as every Illini totaled above a 9.800 on the event. Kato led with a 9.950 that placed first. Hodan produced a career-best 9.875, while O'Connor added a season-best 9.875. LeDuc also produced a 9.875. Buchanan turned in a career-best 9.850 to round out the team total.
Up next, the Illini host Iowa State on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. inside Huff Hall.
