CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini gymnastics teams gave a 2024 sneak peek at the Orange and Blue Exhibition on Friday evening at Huff Hall, with the Orange team taking a13-12 victory.
The win gives Orange its sixth-straight win, leading Blue, 6-2 since 2015.
Blue started the meet hot with a 4-2 lead after the first rotation. Connor McCool (floor), 2023 Floor Big Ten Champion, and Mia Takekawa (beam), 2023 Big Ten uneven bars co- champion, highlighted the blue team lineup. Abby Mueller (beam) and freshman Garrett Schooley (floor) gave the Orange team their lone points.
Orange pressed on the gas in the second rotation, tying the meet at six points apiece. Second Team All-Big Ten Mia Townes (floor) and newcomers Brandon Dang and Vahe Petrosyan (pommel horse) all helped push Orange to the tie. Takekawa (floor) and veteran Michael Fletcher (pommel horse) were the two points for Blue.
The meet remained tied 9-9 after the third rotation, keeping the teams fired up. Reigning Still Rings National Champion Ashton Anaya (still rings) and sophomore Arielle Ward (vault) both had stellar performances for Orange while Maddie Vitolo (vault) and Ryan Vanichtheeranont (still rings) shined for Blue.
In the final rotation, Takekawa (bars) had yet another beautiful routine for Blue with Mueller (bars) giving her a run for her money for Orange. Preston Ngai (high bar) made his Huff Hall debut for Blue with Tate Costa (high bar) shining for Orange.
After the final rotation, the teams ended in a 12-12 tie, leaving it up to the audience to decide. After enthusiastic cheers, team Orange took the win with the audience vote.
The Illini women's team begin their regular season on Jan. 5 at the Super 16 in Las Vegas, Nev. while the men's team start with the annual Windy City Invitational on Jan. 13 in Chicago, Ill.
