CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fans will have a chance to see 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist and 2007 World Champion Samantha Peszek as the Illinois women's gymnastics team faces Michigan State on Friday, Feb. 8. The meet is slated for 7 p.m. CT and fans are encouraged to help the Illini break the 2,387 attendance record inside Huff Hall.
An Indianapolis native, Peszek has had an illustrious career on the elite and college scene. A six-time U.S. National team member, Peszek won gold medals at the 2007 World Championships and Pan American Games. She hit the height of her elite career, earning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games as part of the U.S. team. In 2013, Peszek was inducted as a member of the 2013 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Peszek also had a successful college career competing with the seven-time NCAA national champions, UCLA. As a Bruin, Peszek was a 17-time All-American, three-time NCAA Champion, and 2015 AAI Award and Honda Award Finalist. The three-time Pac-12 champion also had success in the classroom, earning four Scholastic All-American honors and three Pac-12 All-Academic awards.
Peszek earned a degree in Communications Studies and transitioned into the world of broadcasting. While at UCLA, Peszek helped established the popular weekly gymnastics show, Bruin Banter. Currently, Peszek serves as an analyst and sideline reporter for gymnastics and football events on the Pac-12 Network. On the coaching side, she holds Beam Queen Bootcamps at various gymnastics clubs around the country. The two-day camps help gymnasts overcome their fears and lack of confidence on the balance beam.
With Orange and Blue ties, Peszek's parents were student-athletes at University of Illinois. Father Ed was on the Illinois wrestling and hockey teams from 1980-85, while mother Luan was a four-year letterwinner on the Illini women's gymnastics team from 1982-86. She also was the team captain from 1984-86.
Fans can interact with Peszek during a meet and greet at Huff Hall. She will be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures. Following the meet, Illinois will be hosting a youth clinic featuring Ninja Warrior events.
Up next, Illinois opens Big Ten play this Saturday on Jan. 19 against Maryland in Huff Hall. The meet begins at 2 p.m. CT and will stream live on BTN Plus and FloGymnastics. Junior Morgan Bixler also spent half of her collegiate career with the Terrapins, serving as a vault specialist.
