CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – 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 and FloGymnastics. Commentating for the meet are Orri Benatar and former Illini gymnast Sarah Lyons. Sparty returns to Champaign after finishing fourth at the Illinois hosted Big Five Meet in 2017.
Marketing Promos and Giveaways – Break the Attendance Record
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. The first 1,000 fans will receive rally towels. All Students who check in to Oskee Rewards at the meet will be entered in a student raffle to win a Fitbit.
There will also be various activities available during the meet. A Ninja Warrior obstacle course will also be available for fans to try out their Ninja skills. Sam will also be holding a Q&A session during the third touch period for fans. Along with Sam, her mother and former Illini gymnast, Luan Peszek, will be recognized during the second touch period.
Illini Homecoming for the Peszek Family
Our "Break the Attendance Record" meet features 2008 Olympian Samantha Peszek. An Indianapolis native, Peszek has had an illustrious career on the elite and college scene. A six-time U.S. National team member, Peszek won gold medals at the 2007 World Championships and Pan American Games. She hit the height of her elite career, earning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games as part of the U.S. team.
Peszek also had a successful college career competing with the seven-time NCAA national champions, UCLA. As a Bruin, Peszek was a 17-time All-American, three-time NCAA Champion, and 2015 AAI Award and Honda Award Finalist.
While Peszek chose to #BackthePac, her family has strong ties to Illini Nation. Peszek's parents were former student-athletes at University of Illinois – mother Luan was a gymnast, while father Ed was a wrestler and hockey player (1980-85). Luan was a four-year letterwinner (1982-86) and also served as team captain for Illini women's gymnastics from 1984-86. She was also a two-time George Huff Award winner and two-time All-Regional Selection honoree (1983, 1986).
Both Sam and Luan will be recognized during the meet's second touch period for their accomplishments.
Scouting the Opposition | Michigan State (1-6)
A Michigan State alum, Mike Rowe is entering his second season as the Michigan State women's gymnastics coach and fifth overall with the Spartans… Rowe was an integral part in returning the team to NCAA postseason competition in 2015, placing fourth at the Iowa State Regional and ending the season with a No. 26 national ranking… During the 2017 Big Ten Championships, the Spartans won the first session, recording their highest finish since 2010 with a sixth-place finish overall… Always a powerful team, Michigan State ranks in the top 30 on vault and floor… Michigan State's roster is led by veterans Jessica Ling, Roya Shirley, Gabriella and Douglas. Sophomore sensations Ashley Beatty, Tristan Brown, and Lea Mitchell also add depth to the squad. The Spartans welcome five fantastic freshmen and Bowling Green transfer, Shannon St. Jean.
The Orange and Blue Dominate the Victory Plank Series
Since 2009, the Illini has retained the Victory Plank with nine wins against the Spartans. 2012 was the only year Illinois shared the Victory Plank with Michigan State, 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, in East Lansing, Mich. The Orange and Blue lead the series at home, 11-7-1.
Last Time Out
The Illinois women's gymnastics team captured three out of the five individual titles, but fell to No. 22 Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 2 in front of an energetic Huff Hall crowd. After two rotations, the Orange and Blue was within grasp of the lead, as Penn State only had 3.5 tenths on the Illini. Ultimately, the battle with the beam was too much for Illinois to recover from.
Individually, sophomore Kasey Meeks recorded her fifth vault title with a 9.825, while junior Karen Howell captured her first bars title of the season with a 9.850. From exhibitionist to the beam lineup, freshman Shaylah Scott's earned her first career individual title with a personal-best 9.825.
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.
Next Rotation
The Illini hit the road again to face Big Ten opponent Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Princess and Superhero Night is slated for a 6 p.m. start on Saturday, Feb. 16 and will stream live on BTN2go.com. A tape delay version will air on BTN, Sunday, February 17 at 9 a.m. CT.
Last season, the Illini was an individual title away from a sweep, earning titles on three of the four events and an all-around title from Nicole Biondi. In a close contest, Illinois defeated the Hawkeyes at home, 195.325-195.150.
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