CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Less than a week after earning three titles in her career debut, freshman Mia Takekawa cemented herself in the Illini record books with a 10.0 on beam Thursday as No. 6 Illinois won a tri meet against Lindenwood and Temple. The Illini put up a team score of 195.525 to eclipse the Lions' score of 192.675 and the Owls' 192.550.
After a shaky start to the beam lineup, the final three Illini came through in the clutch. Junior Kylie Noonan recorded a 9.900, followed by sophomore Shaylah Scott's 9.925. Anchoring the beam lineup, Takekawa hit her routine perfectly, earning the first 10.0 on beam in Illini history.
"I see her train that routine in practice every day and I think, 'what are they going to take away?'," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "They didn't take anything this time. It just makes me so excited for her and for our program, because she definitely earned it."
The Illini recorded a season-high 49.225 on bars, led by a pair of 9.875 scores by Takekawa and fellow freshman Olivia O'Donnell, helped by a pair of 9.850 scores seniors Karen Howell and Morgan Bixler.
Takekawa earned the all-around title with a score of 39.350. Along with her beam title, she split the bars title with O'Donnell, who won her first career title. Freshman Arayah Simons won her second floor title in as many meets.
The Illini return to action Saturday, January 18, against Michigan at Huff Hall. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 pm CT.
NOTES
- The Illini improved to 4-0 for the first time since beginning the 2004 season 6-0.
- Takekawa's 10.0 was the first on beam in Illini history.
- Takekawa earned just the fourth perfect 10 in program history and the second by a freshman.
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