University of Illinois
NCAA Regionals Second Round
Illini Ready for Regionals in Seattle
March 30, 2022 | Women's Gymnastics
Preview
| Illinois at NCAA Regionals | |
|---|---|
| Regional Information | Rotation Sheet | NCAA Bracket |
| When | Thursday, March 31- April 2 |
| Where | Alaska Airlines Arena | Seattle, Wash. |
| Follow Live | Live Stat | ESPN+ |
| Opponents | #4 Utah, #13 Oregon State, Stanford OR San Jose St |
| Follow the Illini | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
Illinois women's gymnastics will travel to Seattle Washington for NCAA Regionals it was announced during the 2022 NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com Tuesday morning. The Illini will in compete in a second round session on Thursday, March 31.
Illinois will face #4 seeded Utah, #13 seeded Oregon State and the winner of Stanford and San Jose's State first round competition.
LAST TIME OUT
Illinois women's gymnastics concluded the afternoon session of the Big Ten Championships with a score of 195.825.
On vault Illinois made a program statement, competing two 10.0 vaults for the first time in Walsh's tenure. Mia Townes and Ruthu Nataraj both debuted 1.5's at the end of the lineup. Townes scored a 9.850 and Nataraj tied her career-best 9.90.
Mia Takekkawa took home a share of the Big Ten Beam title scoring her third 9.950 on the event this season.
ALL-AMERICAN MIA TAKEKAWA
Junior Mia Takekawa continues to put her name in the Illini record book. Takekawa was named Second Team All-America on beam by the WCGA. She is the first Illini since 2016 to receive the regualr season honor. Takeake was also name First Team All-Big Ten this season forthe second teime in her career and Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on Monday March 14, the first Illini gymnast to recive the honor since she earned it as a freshman in 2020.
During the final weekend of the regualr 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 10 gymnasts to earn a 10.0 on balance beam this season
- Tied for the 8th 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
STRONG FINISH TO THE REGULAR SEASON
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.
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.
GYMNASTS TO WATCH
Junior Mia Townes and sophomore Amelia Knight were voted by Big Ten coaches. So far in 2022 Knight has posted seven scores 9.80 or high out of nine routines, providing valuable routines on bars, beam and for for the Illini.
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.
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!"
