Final Results (PDF)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The No. 23 Fighting Illini put up their second-best team score of 2020 Friday night, but No. 13 Kentucky was just a little better in a 196.450-196.250 decision at Memorial Coliseum. Freshman Mia Takekawa earned her 10th individual title of the season, winning the beam crown with a score of 9.975.
The Orange and Blue held the narrowest of leads after each of the first two rotations, taking a .025 advantage into the third rotation. Kentucky took the lead with a strong beam performance in the third, and the Illini's second-best beam score of the season wasn't enough to retake the lead.
Takekawa's stellar beam routine coaxed a 10.0 from one judge, but she ultimately settled for the second-highest possible score of 9.975. Her 10 event titles lead the Illini, who have 35 individual titles collectively on the season. Illinois' 49.350 was just 0.050 shy of its season high. Senior Karen Howell tied a career high with a 9.900 on beam, and junior Rachel Borden set a season high with a score of 9.850. All five counted beam scores were 9.800 or better.
On bars, Takekawa tied her career high with a 9.875. Junior Kasey Meeks tied her season-high vault score with a 9.825.
The Illini close out the regular season with a meet at Oregon State on Saturday.
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