CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illini women's gymnastics team opens the 2019 home slate vs. No. 7 Kentucky, Oregon State, and Lindenwood inside Huff Hall on Sunday afternoon. The meet will commence at 2 pm CT and will stream live on BTN Plus and FloGymnastics.

The Illini's meeting with the Wildcats and Beavers constitutes the third time this season to face an opponent who concluded the 2018 season ranked in the top-25, its previous comes against Central Michigan in the season opener on Jan. 6.

Marketing Promos and Giveaways – Character Day

It is Character Day Sunday afternoon in Huff Hall! The first 200 fans will receive Illini Capes. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costume. There will be a costume contest where the winners will receive an Illini prize pack. It will be a fun-fill day of fun with the following activities:

• Face Painting: Get your face painted by a face painter from 1:30-3:30 pm.
• Tiara Making Station: Decorate your own tiara at our tiara making station!
• Photo Booth: Take pictures with your favorite characters at our Illini photo booth!

Scouting the Opposition

• No. 7 Kentucky: The Kentucky Wildcats are coached by Tim Garrison, entering his eighth season at the helm… Garrison led the Wildcats to an unprecedent 2018 season with its first NCAA Championships appearance as a team and participating in the night session of the SEC Championships for the first time in program history… The Wildcats 6-1 home record in 2014 was the team's best mark at Memorial Coliseum since 1991… Returns three All-Americans in Mollie Korth, Alex Hyland, and Sidney Dukes, along with veteran performers Katrina Coca, Aubree Rosa, and Katie Stuart. 
• Lindenwood: The Lindenwood Lions are led by head coach Jen Llewellyn, entering her sixth season at the helm… She led the Lions to four USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships, including two wins (2015-16), along with three MIC conference wins (2015-17)… Llewellyn's coaching honors include two-time MIC and USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate Head Coach of the Year (2015-16)… The experienced roster is led by USA Gymnastics All-Americans Andavea Alexander, Ryan Henry, and Breanna Franklin. Upperclassmen Samantha Borges and Emily Milliet also add depth to the lineup.
• Oregon State: The Oregon State Beavers are led by head coach, Tanya Chaplin and associate head coach, Michael Chaplin, who both enter their 22nd season in their respective positions... T. Chaplin owns the most wins in the gymnastics program's history with a stellar career record of 325-146-3 in the regular season and 401-235-3 overall… She has led the Beavers to 12 NCAA Championships (2000-2002, 2006-2012, 2015, 2017) and two Pac 10/12 Championship titles (2011, 2013)… T. Chaplin's illustrious career has earned her many coaching honors, including: five-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1999, 2005, 2008, 2010-11) and 2011 NACGC West Region Co-Coach of the Year… Oregon State's talented roster is led by veterans Mary Jacobsen, Mariana Colussi-Pelaez, Isis Lowery, Maela Lazaro, and Sabrina Gill. 

Last Time Out

Illinois women's gymnastics opened the season with a third-place finish with a 192.850 at the Central Michigan Quad Meet against Central Michigan, Arizona, and Bridgeport on Jan. 6. The Illini had the highest vault score of the competition with a 48.875.

Individually, redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto had the highest Illini score on vault with a 9.825, finishing second overall. Junior Lindsay Dwyer added another event to her repertoire, making her collegiate debut on vault with a 9.800. Maryland transfer Morgan Bixler and freshman Shaylah Scott made their debuts in Orange and Blue. Scott scored a 9.775 on floor, while Bixler competed on vault and made her collegiate debut on bars.

Returners

The Illini return 21 routines and eight letterwinners from 2018. Four seniors lead the team — Mary Jane Otto (formerly Horth), Rachael Donovan, Julia Hutcherson, and Haylee Roe, while juniors Rae Balthazor and Karen Howell return for their third season with the program. With a year under their belt, sophomores Nicole Biondi, Kasey Meeks, and Kylie Noonan add depth to the lineups.

Newcomers

With her first incoming class for the orange and blue, head coach Nadalie Walsh and the Illini welcomed four freshmen, Mallory Mizuki (Shelby Township, Mich.), Shaylah Scott (Plano, Texas), Torie Stotz (Western Springs, Ill.), and Erin Weisel (Carlsbad, Calif.). All four are expected to immediately elevate the program after successful club careers in the Junior Olympic program. The offseason also proved generous for the Illini as Walsh added early freshman enrollee Grace Hester and Maryland transfer Morgan Bixler from Big Ten opponent, Maryland. Bixler will add depth to the Illini vault and bars lineups, while Hester is looking to contribute on bars.

Otto Granted Another Year of Eligibility

The Illini received exciting news in May when All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree, Mary Jane Otto (formerly Horth), was awarded another year of eligibility by the NCAA. Otto, a three-time NACGC Regular-Season All-American (First team -1, Second team - 2), was sidelined for her junior (2016) and redshirt senior year (2018) due to season ending injuries. A sixth year of gymnastics eligibility means Otto will be able to compete in the 2019 season while continuing her studies at Illinois. The 2017 Big Ten bars champion is looking to make an immediate impact in her final year wearing the Orange and Blue.

A Head Above the Rest

At 5'9", Illini freshman Shaylah Scott may be tall, but joins the Illinois women's gymnastics program with a wealth of national experience. A two-time Junior Olympic Level 10 National and Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier, Scott impressed at the 2016 Junior Olympic Level 10 Nationals, winning the all-around and vault titles and becoming a member of the Junior Olympic National Team. At the 2016 Region 3 Level 10 Championship, Scott swept all four events and the all-around to qualify to nationals. Gaining podium experience at the Nastia Liukin Cup, the Plano, Texas native competed in the junior division, finishing second on floor and in the all-around and third on vault and beam in 2015. With long lines and a strong build, Scott is one to watch for this season.

Big Ten Predictions

The Big Ten Conference were well-represented in the WCGA Preseason Coaches' poll as eight of its 10 programs appeared in the top-36. Illinois ranked third in the preseason Big Ten women's gymnastics coaches' poll. The Orange and Blue moved four spots from the previous year, where they began the season in seventh-place. Reigning Big Ten champion, Michigan, topped the league list announced in mid-December.

Academic Excellence

Excelling on the floor and in the classroom has become the standard within the Illini women's gymnastics program. In 2018, Illinois placed 10 student-athletes on the Academic All-Big Ten team, while 10 members of the squad earned WCGA Scholastic All-American honors. Exemplifying the team's academic excellence, the Illini women's gymnastics team was one of eight Illini programs recognized as an APR (Academic Progress Report) top-10 percent performer in 2018. The Orange and Blue also continue their perfect GSR (Graduation Success Rate) streak, posting a score of 100 for the 14th time since reporting began in 1998.

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