CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois posted a season-high 49.175 on beam in a 197.775-195.025 loss to No. 6 Denver on Friday night in front of an energetic crowd inside Huff Hall. Despite recording 49.000+ on three events, falls on bars were too much for the Illini to recover from.
The Orange and Blue had a solid vault rotation, recording their second 49.00+ of the season with a 49.000. Illinois was led by 9.875s from redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto and sophomore Kasey Meeks. This marked a season-best for Otto. Sophomore Nicole Biondi also recorded a season-high 9.825 on vault for her stuck Yurchenko-half.
"On vault, they did a good job of finding their landings better," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "Having Mary Jane (Otto) stick her vault in the second spot was great for the lineup's momentum."
With falls in the second rotation, the Illini tallied a 47.800 on bars. The seniors saved the day with Otto recording a season-high 9.925 and Rachael Donovan matching a career-high 9.875 to anchor the lineup.
The Illini moved past bars to earn a season-high 49.175 on beam. Sophomore Rachel Borden set the tone for the third rotation with a career-high 9.775. Sophomore Kylie Noonan kept the momentum going with a career-high 9.875 on beam. Otto matched Noonan's 9.875 for a season-high. As the top Illinois beam score, freshman Shaylah Scott tied for third with a career-high 9.900.
"Beam was very strong," noted Walsh. "They did a very good job of doing exactly what they do in practice."
Illinois finished the night with an entertaining floor rotation, posting their second-highest team total this season with 49.050. Sophomore Tessa Phillips posted a solid 9.800, while Otto capped off her night with a season-high 9.850. Junior Karen Howell added a 9.825, while Noonan wrapped up Senior Night with an impressive 9.900.
Following the meet, the four seniors – Otto, Donovan, Julia Hutcherson, and Haylee Roe, were celebrated in a post-meet ceremony. Otto and Donovan contributed to the team's total tonight.
"As a senior and sixth year, I just want to go out there and enjoy every moment," said Otto.
The Orange and Blue will return to Huff Hall for their home finale, hosting the annual State of Illinois Classic next Saturday, March 9 at 2 pm CT. Illinois will compete alongside the top teams in the Land of Lincoln – Northern Illinois, Illinois State, and UIC. The event will stream live on BTN Plus and FloGymnastics.
Illinois has won 11 consecutive State of Illinois Classic meets, with two won inside Huff Hall. The program's best team vault score (49.425) came at the State of Illinois Classic on February 21, 2014.Â
"Next week, I am expecting the girls to come out and hit 24 for 24," said Walsh.
Illinois Notes
- The Illini had another career-high on beam with a 49.175.
- Illinois hit 49.000+ on three of the four events, which is a season first.
- Against a top-10 Denver team, the Illini recorded six top-three finishes individually.
- Redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto posted season-highs on all four events and the all-around – 9.850 (VT), 9.925 (UB), 9.875 (BB), 9.850 (FX), and 39.500 (AA).
- Otto also tied for the bars title with a 9.925, tied third on vault (9.850), and was third in the all-around with a 39.500
- Sophomore Nicole Biondi recorded a season-high 9.825 on vault.
- Sophomore Kasey Meeks tied third on vault with a 9.875.
- Senior Rachael Donovan tied a career-high 9.875 on bars to anchor the lineup.
- Sophomore Rachel Borden posted a career-high 9.775 on beam with her unique skills and combinations.
- Sophomore Kylie Noonan was solid with a career-high 9.875 on beam.
- Freshman Shaylah Scott topped her career-best again this season with a 9.900, which tied her for third.
- Noonan finished third on floor with a 9.900. Â
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