CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fans are invited to come watch the Illinois women's gymnastics team in an open practice on Friday. The practice is free and open to the public and will run from 1-3 p.m. at Kenney Gym.

Fans in attendance will be able to get their first look at the 2019 Fighting Illini. The team will participate in training skills and choreography on all four events during the practice session.

"As a staff we are really looking forward to opening up our Friday, Sept 21st practice to the community from 1-3 p.m., said head coach Nadalie Walsh. The Team has been working extremely hard and it will be a lot of fun for them to show off some of the new skills we are hoping to put in their routines this year."

Illinois finished last season at No. 19 in the Road to Nationals final rankings. The Orange and Blue return 13 competitors from the 2017-18 squad, including sixth-year Mary Jane Otto (formerly Horth), All-American Rae Balthazor, and Big-Ten Second Team honoree, Nicole Biondi.

As part of head coach Nadalie Walsh's first signing class, freshmen Mallory Mizuki, Shaylah Scott, Torie Stotz, and Erin Weisel join the roster this season and look to contribute in a variety of ways. All four have made appearances at the Junior Olympic Championship, with Scott appearing twice at the coveted Nastia Liukin Cup. Staying in the Big Ten, Walsh also added transfer Morgan Bixler from Maryland, who will provide depth to the vault lineup.

"Gymnastics training season can be very long so having an audience will give the athletes the amazing feeling of competing, even though our first meet is not for a few months," noted Walsh.

Address/Directions

1402 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61820. Enter through the front doors of Kenney Gym off of Springfield Avenue.

Parking

Parking is NOT lifted during the open practice on Sept. 21. Parking is available outside of Kenney Gym at one of the parking meters on South Wright St. or wherever City of Champaign street meters are available.

ADA

Kenney Gym is not ADA compliant. Fans will need to climb flights of stairs to reach viewing areas. Viewing areas are also limited during the open practice.

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