CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – From team manager to student-athlete, sophomore Rachel Borden was only on the team one day until she donned the Orange and Blue for an exhibition beam routine at Iowa on Feb. 16. An overnight sensation, Borden's 9.700 routine went viral and has taken the gymternet by storm with unique skills and originality that is unseen in collegiate gymnastics. The Big Five Meet hosted by Elevate the Stage marked the first time Borden made the beam lineup, leading off the Illini in their first podium meet with a 9.625. Borden made her home debut vs. Denver on March 1, where she recorded a career-high 9.775 on beam.

The in-state product from Naperville, Ill. spent her club career at the prominent and elite Chicago area-based club, Legacy Elite Gymnastics. Under the guidance of owners and head coaches, Jiani Wu and Yuejiu Li, Borden spent five years as a level 10 gymnast and persisted through the ups and downs of the sport to reach her goal of qualifying to the Junior Olympic National Championships during her senior year in 2017.

The Chemical Engineering major's inspirational story has gotten the attention of national media, such as FloGymnastics, Inside Gymnastics, and the Gymternet podcast. With her cast handstand to reverse planche mount and perfect toe point, Borden puts the "artistic" back in Artistic gymnastics.

Why you chose Illinois?

I chose the University of Illinois because of its outstanding engineering programs. When I visited, I fell in love with the campus and I knew this was the school for me.

What is your intended major and/or minor?

Chemical Engineering

What is the top item on your bucket list?

I want to go skydiving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.

What is your favorite movie?

The Avengers

What is your favorite TV show?

The 100

What is your favorite quote?

"Life is a book, and there are a thousand pages I have not read." – Cassandra Clare

What is your favorite song?

"Let's See How Far We've Come" by Matchbox Twenty

What is your favorite sports team?

Chicago Cubs

What is your favorite gymnastics event?

Beam

Who is your favorite athlete?

Serena Williams

What is your favorite activity outside of gymnastics?

Reading

What person has most influenced your athletic career?

My older sister, Natalie, has always been a big supporter of my gymnastics. She has helped me through my struggles and always knows what to say.

If I could live anywhere in the world, where would choose?

Australia

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