UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Illinois women's gymnastics team defeated the Nittany Lions 196.350-195.475 on Saturday evening. Illinois scored above a 49 in three out of the four events showing improvements from their first meet of the season. Sophomore Amelia Knight scored two career-highs on floor and beam and freshman Ruthuja Nataraj scored a 9.875 in her floor debut for the Illini.
The Illini started the meet on bars, scoring a 48.975 behind Rachel Borden's 9.850 and two 9.80's by Amelia Knight and Mallory Mizuki. On vault, Illinois scored a 49.025. Lexi Powe tied her career-high 9.825 and Mia Townes made her season debut on the event with a 9.875.
Illinois had ground to make up as they entered the third rotation and they finished floor with a one point lead of Penn State. Their best event of the night a 49.250 the Illini shined with several big routines. Abby Muller started the rotation with a career-high 9.875. Nataraj made her debut on the event scoring a 9.875 and Kaitlyn Ewald anchored the floor lineup with a career-high on the event, a 9.850. Also scoring her career-high was Knight who earned a 9.90 on the event.
The Illini finished the night on beam, one of their best events last season. Knight led the way for the Illini again, scoring a meet high 9.875 to win the event title. Ewald, who made her beam debut, and Townes both scored 9.850 to help give the Illini a score of 49.100 on the event and secure the victory over Penn State.
Up Next
Illinois will be on the road again next Friday as they travel to Kentucky for a quad meet with UGA and Central Michigan. The Illini will then compete against Minnesota in their home opener on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 2 pm.
