Final Results (PDF) | Team Detail (PDF)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 22 Fighting Illini overtook Central Michigan in the final rotation Sunday to earn a 196.225-195.500 win in the final home meet of 2020. Illinois set a season high with a team bars score of 49.250 and tied a season high with a floor score of 49.300.
"I think having a win at the end of the year at home, one where we get one of our higher scores of the year just definitely launches us into the next couple of road meets," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "The girls can be confident and go do their jobs."
The Illini counted five scores of 9.800 or better on floor in the fourth and final rotation to take the lead for the first time all afternoon. Freshmen Mia Townes and Arayah Simons each scored 9.850, and junior Kylie Noonan and sophomore Shaylah Scott each reached 9.900 to help their team pull ahead. Junior Rachel Borden and freshman Olivia O'Donnell set career highs on bars at 9.850 and 9.900, respectively. Senior Karen Howell also recorded a 9.900 on bars, her third score of 9.900 or better on bars in the last four meets.
"I think Kylie Noonan did outstanding today," Walsh said. "It was great to see her put her floor routine together the way we know she can... Olivia and Karen just did such an outstanding job of being aggressive and doing their best [on bars], and when they do their best, we all benefit."
The Illini honored seniors Rae Balthazor, Morgan Bixler, Karen Howell, and Brittany Jones after the meet.
Illinois hits the road for meets at Kentucky and Oregon State in the next two weeks before the Big Ten Championships.
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