After a two weekend break, Illinois women's gymnastics will travel to Penn State and Nebraska this weekend for two meets in three days.

Their Penn State meet, set for 3 pm CT on Saturday will be a double dual, featuring both men's and women's team competing against the Nittany Lions. The Illini will then travel to Nebraska for their rescheduled meet with the Cornhuskers. That meet is set for Monday, Jan. 31 at 6 pm CT.

Last Time Out

Illinois women's gymnastics defeated Central Michigan 194.150 - 193.425 on Sunday, Jan. 9 to begin the 2022 season. Illinois captured two event titles against the Chippewas. On bars, Rachel Borden and Mallory Mizuki tied for first, both scoring 9.825. Mizuki tied with Mia Townes on beam to win the Illini's second event as well scoring 9.825 on their routines.

Several Illini made their debuts today. Freshman Ruthuja Nataraj made her debut on vault and scored and Illini-best 9.80 on the event, the highest score in the event for Illinois. Sophomore Ashley Resch competed a vault and a beam exhibition routine after missing last season with an injury. On vault, Lexi Powe stepped up to anchor the event for Illinois after injuries forced changes.

2022 Outlook

Illinois returns two All-Big Ten honorees in Mia Takekawa and Mia Townes this season. Senior Rachel Borden also elected to use her extra year of eligibility to return for 2022.

After setting a a new program record 197.575 at the end of last season, the Illini are ready to build off that in the new year. Illinois will start the season on the road at Central Michigan then Kent State. The Big Ten section of the schedule begins 6:oo pm on Jan. 21 at Nebraska. The Illini will then travel to State College on the 29^th for a double duel meet with Penn State.

Illinois' first home meet will be against Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 2 pm CT. Last season the Illini broke several program records on senior night against the Gophers. Illinois' single TV appearance comes the following week at Michigan State on Sunday, Feb. 13. The Big Ten Network will carry live coverage on the meet beginning at 3:00 pm CT.

Newcomers 

Seven freshman join Walsh's squad for the 2021 season. Olivia Bowsman, Kadyn Fitzgibbon, Katharine Klugman, Ruthuja Nataraj, MIa Scott and Kiera Wai all look to make an impact in the Illinois lineup after successful junior careers. Freshman MaKayla Green will miss the season with an injury.

In The Rankings

Illinois starts the season No. 23 in the WGCA Preseason Coaches' poll. The Illini are the fifth-highest ranked Big Ten team and one of nine Big Ten teams ranked in the top-36 programs.

Gymnasts to Watch

Junior Mia Townes and sophomore Amelia Knight were voted by Big Ten coaches. Illinois was chosen to finish fifth in the Big Ten in the Coaches Poll. The Illini have not finished worst than third since Walsh took over as head coach. 

Former Illini Joins Walsh's Staff

Illinois women's gymnastics head coach, Nadalie Walsh announced that former Illini gymnast, Rachael Donovan is joining her staff as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2022 season.

"I could not be more pleased to have Rachael Donovan back It is the greatest compliment having her want to return to invest her time, energy and passion back into the program," said Walsh. " I see Rachael having a bright future as an NCAA coach. I am excited to pour into her, see her grow and develop and watch her positively impact the lives of our Fighting Illini student athletes. Rachael will be a great asset to our programs behind the scenes as she will also be assisting with program operations. She is organized, ambitious and detail oriented. She a great addition to my staff as she knows the program and fully believes in the vision and direction we are headed."

Since graduating in 2019, Donovan has coached at Hills gymnastics and Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center working with level 10s/ elites. She will complete her masters in sports management in December from West Virginia University.

"I am honored and beyond excited to be back coaching alongside the staff at the University of Illinois, said Donovan. "Thank you to Head Coach Nadalie Walsh and Illinois Athletics for this amazing opportunity! I intend to use my knowledge from being a former Illinois athlete as well as my coaching knowledge to assist the team and watch them thrive this year!"

2021 in Review  

The Illini finished the 2021 season making their third NCAA Regional appearance in the last four years after finishing ties for third at Big Ten Championships.

Illinois set two new program records in their home final against Minnesota. They reached a 197.575 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 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 floor, also tied for fifth-best all-time.

Mia Townes competed a Yurchenko 1.5 vault for Illinois last season. it'll be the first 10.0 vault for since the full was devalued.