CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In their second quad meet of the season, the Illinois women's gymnastics team posted a 195.175 in front of the home crowd in Huff Hall on Sunday afternoon. In a three-team race, the Illini finished second, upsetting No. 7 Kentucky (195.100) and finishing less than a tenth of a point behind Pac-12 opponent, Oregon State (195.225). Lindenwood rounded out the meet with a 192.525.
"The girls did an incredible job of leaving the last meet behind them but taking with them the aspects they needed in order to improve," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "In every single event, they came out more confident and I am excited where we are headed."
The Orange and Blue dominated the individual results with redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto winning the bars and beam with a pair of 9.875s, while sophomore Kylie Noonan captured the floor title with a career-high 9.900. Sophomore Kasey Meeks added a second-place finish on vault with a season-high 9.825. While sophomore Nicole Biondi tied for third with a solid 9.800 on bars.
"It is always exciting watching Kylie (Noonan) perform on floor, she just has confidence oozing out of her body," noted Walsh. "She is someone we trust and sealing that deal allowed the program to finish in second place."
As the host, the Illini rotated in Olympic order, starting on Vault with a solid 48.575. Junior All-American Rae Balthazor recorded a 9.775 for her powerful vault, while Otto added a 9.700. Meeks anchored the lineup with a stuck landing for a 9.825.
Sitting in second after the first rotation, the Illini were only three tenths behind the Kentucky Wildcats. The Orange and Blue vastly improved on bars from their season opener, posting a 48.900. Five of the six gymnasts earned season bests on the event. The squad was led by Otto's unique routine featuring a Maloney and stuck dismount for a season-best 9.875. Biondi earned a 9.800 for her perfect handstands and stuck dismount, while senior Rachael Donovan and junior Karen Howell earned a pair of 9.750s. This marked the first time this season that Donovan competed for the Illini.
At the halfway mark, Illinois swung into the top spot with Oregon State and Kentucky within striking distance. Otto earned an impressive 9.875 to lead the way for the Illini. Also solid for the Orange and Blue were Howell and senior Haylee Roe who both recorded career bests with scores of 9.775 and 9.750, respectively.
Sitting in third going into the final rotation, the Illini recorded an impressive 49.000 to surpass No. 7 Kentucky in the final standings. This marked the first time the Orange and Blue have hit the 49 mark on any event this season. Noonan came in clutch for the Illini as her 9.900 was the highest score on any event for the entire meet. Balthazor earned a season-high 9.825, while Howell's extension and toe point tied a season-high 9.800.
"It was really exciting to watch them because they have all aspects of floor… they have good tumbling, difficulty, dance, and performance," said Walsh.
Illinois will commence conference play next Saturday, Jan. 19 inside Huff Hall, hosting Maryland in its Big Ten Opener. The meet will start 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.
"I want the girls to do every routine knowing that it is already excellent before they mount the apparatus," noted Walsh. "We are getting to that place of true confidence that nothing holds them back. I think between the second and third meet, you will see an even bigger jump forward."
Illini Notes
- Illinois posted a season-high 195.1975 team score to upset No. 7 Kentucky in a competitive quad meet at home. Oregon State took the crown with a 195.225.
- The Illini hit season-high team scores on bars (48.900), beam (48.700), and floor (49.000).
- For team event totals, the Illini hit the 49 mark for the first time this season.
- The Orange and Blue captured three out of the five individual titles with Senior Mary Jane Otto winning bars and beam and sophomore Kylie Noonan capturing the floor title.
- Noonan recorded a new career-high on floor with a 9.900, marking the highest score on any event during the meet.
- Sophomore Kasey Meeks scored a season-high 9.825 on vault, finishing second-overall.
- Otto earned impressive marks on bars and beam with a pair of 9.875s.
- Sophomore Nicole Biondi tied third on bars with a season-best 9.800.
- Senior Rachael Donovan competed for the first time this season, recording a solid 9.750 on bars.
- Junior Haylee Roe hit a season-high 9.750 on beam.
- Junior Karen Howell matched a season-best 9.800 on floor.
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