CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illini women's gymnastics team will return home for their conference slate, hosting No. 22 Penn State on Saturday afternoon inside Huff Hall. The meet begins at 4 p.m. CT and will stream live on BTN Plus and FloGymnastics. The Nittany Lions lead the series against the Illini, 10-6 since their first meeting in 1992. Last season, Illinois traveled to University Park, Pa., defeating Penn State in a narrow contest, 195.750-195.475. 

Marketing Promos and Giveaways – Salute to Service 

The Salute to Service meet will honor all military and public safety members in attendance on Saturday afternoon inside Huff Hall. The first 200 fans will receive USA yowies and dog tags. Afterwards, the Orange and Blue will host their first free youth clinic of the season. 

Scouting the Opposition | No. 22 Penn State (2-3) 

Entering her second year as Penn State's women's gymnastics coach, Sarah Brown was named the eighth head coach of the program on May 4, 2017… In her first season with the Nittany Lions, Brown led Penn State to an 11-8 record, including three wins over ranked opponents… Hosting the University Park Regional, Penn State fell short of an NCAA Championship berth last season, placing fifth with a 194.900… Nittany Lions standout Lauren Bridgens tied for third at the University Park Regional to secure an individual NCAA all-around berth… The Nittany Lions finished the 2018 season ranked No. 32 nationally… Currently ranked No. 22, Penn State cracked into the top 10 with a ninth-place finish nationally on bars with a 49.125 average… Penn State's experienced roster is led by All-American Lauren Bridgens and veterans Sabrina Garcia, Kristen Politz, Mason Hosek, and Tess McCracken. The Nittany Lions welcome transfer Jessie Bastardi and freshmen trio Melissa Astarita, Dymiana Cox, and Donna Howell.

Last Time Out

Illinois battled tough, but ultimately fell to No. 18 Nebraska, 197.250-194.675, on Jan. 26 at Bob Devaney Sports Center. The road score is almost a two-point improvement from their season opener at Central Michigan. After the first rotation, the Illini led the Huskers with a season-high 49.425 on bars, marking the highest score since the 2015 Big Ten Championship and tying for the third best bars score in program history. 

Individually, junior Karen Howell led the Orange and Blue with a career-high 39.275 in the all-around for second place. The lone event winner for the Illini, junior Rae Balthazor, won her first bars title of the season with a season-high 9.925. This is tied for the 10th best bars score in program history. Placing second behind Balthazor, Howell recorded a season- high 9.900 on bars. Senior Rachael Donovan also impressed with a career-high 9.875 on bars. Rounding out top three finishes, redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto tied for third on beam with a 9.825. 

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. 

Gymnasts to Watch 

Illinois juniors Rae Balthazor and Karen Howell were named to the Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch list. Balthazor finished second-team All-American in 2018 on floor when she earned a score of 9.900 to finish eighth in the NCAA Semifinal session. She also received first team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Howell won six individual event titles and earned three career-highs on bars (9.925), beam (9.900), and floor (9.900) in 2018. Howell also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

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 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. 

2018 in Review 

Under first-year head coach Nadalie Walsh, the Illini finished the 2018 season 17-5 and 8-2 in conference play. The team saw tremendous growth on the season, while knocking off top Big Ten opponents, No. 6 Nebraska at the Big Five Meet and reigning Big Ten Champions, No. 13 Michigan at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. The team hit a season-best 196.625 at both the Big Five Meet and Big Ten Championships. Hosting the Big Ten Championships, the Illini placed in the top-three for the second year with a 196.625, earning third-place. 

Individually, Senior Bridget Hodan was the eighth Illini to earn a conference beam title and 17th overall. Illinois also had its best team finish at NCAA Regionals since 2015 with a 196.425 (3rd), while sending individual all-around qualifier Rae Balthazor to the NCAA Championships. At NCAA Championships, Balthazor earned an eighth-place finish on floor with 9.900, becoming the 10th Illini to earn All-American honors. Under Walsh's tutelage, the Illini finished the season ranked No. 19 nationally, marking their highest finish since 2015. 

Next Rotation 

Calling all Illini fans to #StuffHuff as Illinois attempts to break the women's gymnastics Huff attendance record of 2,387 vs. Michigan State on Friday, Feb. 8. The meet is slated for a 7 p.m. CT start and will stream live on BTN Plus.

The "Break the Attendance Record" meet features 2008 Olympic silver medalist Samantha Peszek, who will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans from 6-7 p.m. CT. A Ninja Warrior obstacle course will also be available for fans to try out their Ninja skills. 

Since 2009, the Illini has retained the Victory Plank with nine wins against the Spartans. The only year Illinois shared the Victory Plank with Michigan State was 2012, tying 195.175-195.175 in a close contest. Last season, the Illini was an individual title away from a sweep, earning titles on all four events and a runner-up finish from Nicole Biondi in the all-around. Illinois defeated Michigan State, 196.350-194.550. 

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