The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team will compete in Session 2 of the Big Ten Championships on Saturday evening. Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa will all be in their session with the remaining teams competing earlier in the day. Illinois has had two second place finishes and one third place during Walsh's tenure. Last year's competition was canceled due to COVID-19.

Records Made to be Broken

Illinois set two new program records last weekend against No. 7 Minnesota. 

They reached a 197.525 team score beating the previous school record of 197.350 set in 2015. They used a program best 49.525 on beam as well as top-10 all-time program scores on vault, bars and floor. 

On vault, they scored a season best 49.200, tied for seventh-best in program. They followed scoring a 49.425 on bars, tied for fifth-best. They hit the same score on bars, also tied for fifth-best all-time.

With her 39.525 in the all around, Nicole Biondi is now tied for the ninth-best individual all-around score in program history. Amelia Knight made her debut on bars and scored a 9.95, tied for sixth-best all time. Mia Townes added her name the record books, scoring a 9.925 on vault and Shaylah Scoot hit her best career-beam score, 9.950 and is not ties for second all-time.

The Last Time Out

Fighting Illini women's gymnastics beat No. 7 Minnesota by scoring a new program record 197.575, including a new program-best beam score of 49.525.

The team hit top ten score on every other event. Their vault score, 49.200 was their best of the season and tied for seventh best in program history. They scored a 49.425 on bars, tied for third best all-time. They finished their record setting day on floor, putting up another 49.425, tying them for fifth-best in program history.

Several Illini hit career-bests today. Senior Nicole Biondi scored three highs. Starting on vault where she stuck the landing to score a 9.900. Next came on bars where she put up a 9.925. Finally she scored her career-best all-around scored a 39.525.

Mia Townes hit a career-best on each of her three events. Her 9.925 on vault is tied for fifth best in program history. On beam she scored 9.875 followed by another 9.925 on floor.

Shaylah Scott scored a new career-high, 9.950 on beam, putting her tied for second on the all-time list. She followed by tying her career-high 9.925 on floor.

In her competition debut on bars, Amelia Knight scored a 9.95 tying her for third in program history on the event. On beam, Rachel Borden scored a career high 9.875 after tying her career high 9.850 on bars.

In The Rankings

Illinois is ranked No. 16 this week, their highest ranking all season. The Illini made a five-spot jump after hitting their program record score. They started the season at No. 22 in the WCGA Preseason Coaches' poll. The Illini were the fourth-highest ranked Big Ten team and one of nine Big Ten teams ranked in the top-36 programs.

Illinois is ranked in the top 25 nationally in three events. They are 13th on beam and 15th on bars and 22nd floor. On vault they are ranked No. 30.

Mia Takekawa is ranked 20th nationally on beam with a season high 9.950 and NQS of 9.919. She is tied for fifth both regionally and in the Big Ten.

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