University of Illinois
Big Ten Championships
Illini Travel to OSU For Big Ten Championships
March 18, 2022 | Women's Gymnastics
Preview
| #19 Illinois at Big Ten Championships | |
|---|---|
| Championship Homepage | Big Tens |
| When | Saturday, March 19 | 11 am CT |
| Where | Covelli Center | Columbus, Ohio |
| Opponents | Rutgers, Penn State, Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa |
| Watch | Big Ten Network |
| Live Stats | OhioStateBuckeyes.com |
| Follow the Illini | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
Illinois travel to Ohio State for the Big Ten Championships on Saturday March 19. The Illini will compete in the afternoon session at 11 am CT with Maryland, Rutgers, Iowa, Nebraska, and Penn State.
In The Illini Record Book
The Illini are peaking at the right time. Illinois has scored above 197 six times in program history and three of them have come in the last two weekends (three meets). The 197.350 against Bowling Green was tied for second best in program history. Illinois also set a new program record (49.475) on vault against the Falcons and scored the second highest beam score (49.500)
Individually, Illinois has had almost every gymnast in the lineup set a new PR in the last three meets. Four gymnasts; Mallory Mizuki, Arayah Simons, Mia Takekawa and Mia Townes all score top-10 program scores this season.
Mia Takekawa making her mark
Junior Mia Takekawa continues to put her name in the Illini record book. Takekawa was named First Team All-Big Ten this week for the second time in her career and Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on Monday March 14, the first Illini gymnast to receive the honor since she earned it as a freshman in 2020.
During the final weekend of the regular season, Takekawa became the first Illini gymnast to score two 10.0s in their career. She posted the perfect score on beam against Bowling Green Thursday March 10. Also against Bowling Green, Takekawa set a new program record in the all around (39.750). She followed that performance with the T-sixth best all around score in program history (39.575) at Mizzou. She scored a 9.950 on bars and beam in Columbia.
- 1 of 11 gymnasts to earn a 10 this season
- Tied for the 6th highest all around score (39.750) in the nation this season and 2nd highest in Big Ten
- Currently T-18 and T-7 in Big Ten in the Road to National Rankings
- T-19 on beam in Road to National Rankings
- Her and Rambler from MINN are the only two gymnasts in Big Ten with 10's this season
Last Time Out
Illinois finished the regular season at Missouri. They came in second behind the Tigers who scored a new program record.
The Illini put together a consistent meet, scoring above 49.00 on each of the events. On bars, where they rank No. 15 nationally, Illinois posted a 49.250 with individual highlights from Olivia O'Donnell who scored a 9.90 and Mia Takekawa who scored a 9.95 for a consecutive meet.
The Illini beam team gave the them a slight edge over Mizzou after the second rotation. They posted a 49.245, tied for third best in program history. Abby Mueller lifted the Illini on the event, setting a new PR 9.925. The Illini followed their beam score with an even better one on floor. Illinois scored 49.450, that is tied for second best in Illini history.
Illini In the Rankings
Illinois is ranked No. 19 in the Road to National rankings going into the postseason and have secured a spot at the NCAA Regionals. Bars is the Illini's best event, they rank #14. On vault they are #19, beam #23 and #21 on floor.
Takekawa is tied for 18th in the all around, tied for 19th on beam and tied for 28th on bars in the rankings.
