CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 21 Illinois women's gymnastics team will travel to University Park, Pa., to compete in the Big 5 Meet against Iowa, Maryland, No. 11 Michigan and host No. 22 Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 CT at Rec Hall.
Scouting Report
Iowa is coming off a 197.125-196.075 loss to No. 14 Ohio State, a meet in which Karina Muñoz was the only Hawkeye to win an event (9.900 on beam). Muñoz also placed second in the all-around (39.425).
Maryland just lost to No. 8 Michigan State 197.550-195.525 in East Lansing, Mich., with just Alexa Rothenbuescher winning an event (9.900 on floor). Josephine Kogler took third on vault (9.85), while Emma Silberman finished second on beam (9.875).
The No. 11 Wolverines out-scored Rutgers, 197.650-194.625, on Feb. 16 at Elevate the Stage in Toledo, Ohio. Michigan swept the titles, not scoring under a 9.950 in any event. Gabby Wilson scored her second 10.0 on floor this season, with her first one coming on Feb. 4 against Michigan State.
No. 22 Penn State is coming off a narrow road loss to No. 23 Nebraska, 196.500-196.400. Two Nittany Lions took home event titles: Ava Piedrahita (9.875 on bars) and Bella Salcedo (9.875 on beam). Piedrahita placed second in the all-around (39.300), just .25 behind first place.
Ranked Illini
Illinois jumped back in the rankings at No. 21 after back-to-back season highs (196.550 at GymQuarters Invitational and 196.850 versus No. 15 Minnesota).
