Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Illinois women's gymnastics scored a 196.700 and earned sixth place at the Big Ten Championships at the Jenison Field House Saturday evening.
No. 9 Michigan State took the championship with a 197.600, followed by No.15 Minnesota who scored a 197.500 and No. 10 Michigan taking third with a 197.225. The full standings can be found here.
Mia Takekawa, Mia Townes, Arielle Ward and Kadyn Fitzgibbon all earned a spot on the All-Championship Team for their efforts.
"The Big Ten Championships meet is always exciting and a tough competition," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "Our athletes handled their session extremely well. Their energy and togetherness really carried them to the end. This meet has prepared them to be even better as we head into NCAA Regionals.
Arielle tying for second on vault is a huge victory for her and the program. Assistant coach
Ross Thompson has done a phenomenal job preparing her physically and mentally to be among the best vaulters in the nation. Having four athletes qualify for the All-Championship Team is very exciting as well. Kadyn, Mia, Mia and Arielle all worked hard for the honor!"
Ward tied for second on vault with a 9.900 with Fitzgibbon and Townes taking seventh on floor with a pair of 9.900s. Takekawa placed 10th place on beam with a 9.875.
Event Breakdown
Floor
After starting the meet on a bye, Ward took floor for Illinois and scored a 9.825. Alea Byrne and Allie Morgan also scored a 9.825.
Vault
Following Ward's 9.900, Abby Mueller, Byrne and Townes all earned 9.850s on the apparatus.
Bars
Takekawa earned a 9.850 with Destiny Denning and Kaitlyn Ewald both scoring a 9.825. Amelia Knight and Mueller both took 9.800 to round Illinois out.
Beam
Following Takekawa's 9.875, Townes earned a 9.850 with Mueller taking a 9.825.
Up Next
The Illini will head to the NCAA Regionals but will not know where they are competing or who they are competing against until Monday at 11 a.m. CT during the selection show. Fans can watch the selection show at ncaa.com.
