MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team finished third in a quad meet with No. 30 Central Michigan, No. 33 Arizona, and Bridgeport on Sunday afternoon. Recording a 192.850, the Illini trailed the Chippewas and Wildcats, who went 1-2. Rounding out the field is Bridgeport, who finished fourth with a 192.575.
"The girls had an unbelievable amount of energy, were really united, and there is great potential for this team," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "We are excited for next weekend and being able to shake this meet off going forward."
The Illini opened the 2019 season on beam with a 48.350, sitting in third behind Central Michigan and Arizona after the first rotation. Senior Haylee Roe led the Orange and Blue off strong with a solid 9.700. With another 9.700, sophomore Nicole Biondi finished up her routine with a stuck 1.5 twist dismount. After a miss halfway through the rotation, junior All-American Rae Bathlazor anchored the beam lineup with the team's third 9.700.
Closing in on Arizona and Central Michigan, the Illini remained in third with a 96.875 after the second rotation. Illinois posted a 48.525 on floor with freshman Shaylah Scott making her collegiate debut, recording a 9.775 for her stunning lines and clean tumbling. Roe earned a 9.750 for her new 80's inspired routine. Junior Karen Howell and sophomore Kylie Noonan concluded the event with a pair of 9.800s.
"Shaylah (Scott) has worked really hard on all of those details and it was great to see her do what she has been doing in training," noted Walsh. "This is just the beginning of her floor greatness."
Much improved from last season, the Orange and Blue scored the top team score on vault with a 48.875. In her first vault of her collegiate career, junior Lindsay Dwyer notched a 9.800 to lead-off the Illini. Sixth year and redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto came out strong with a 9.825, tying for second-overall individually. Balthazor also had a floaty and clean vault for a 9.800 to round out the squad.
Illinois concluded the meet on bars with a 47.100. In a rough rotation, Otto debuted a unique routine with a Maloney and Van Leeuwen transitions for a 9.775.
Up next, the Illini return to Huff Hall to open their home slate with a star-studded non-conference quad meet on Sunday, Jan. 13, hosting No. 10 Kentucky, No. 17 Oregon State, and Lindenwood. The meet is slated for a 2 p.m. CT start, streaming live on BTN Plus.
"We need to leave this meet behind, go home, stay positive, and do what they need to do," said Walsh. "I think next weekend will be a good turnaround."
Illini Notes
- Out of the four teams, Illinois had the highest score overall with a 48.875 on vault.
- Junior Lindsay Dwyer made her collegiate debut on vault with a 9.800.
- Senior Mary Jane Otto had the highest Illini score on vault with a 9.825, finishing second overall individually.
- Freshman Shaylah Scott made her collegiate debut with a 9.775 on floor.
- Making her Illini debut, Maryland transfer Morgan Bixler (junior) competed on vault and made her collegiate debut on bars.
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