CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois looks to bounce back this week, as they head to No. 24 Penn State. This is the Illini's second road contest of the season, before they return home for a two-meet weekend beginning Feb. 7.
About the Opponent
Penn State women's gymnastics (6-2, 1-1 Big Ten) scored 194.825 points to earn a win over Rutgers (9-2, 1-1 Big Ten) in its first home Big Ten dual meet of the season. Penn State moved to 29-2 all-time against the Scarlet Knights. The team's win against Rutgers improves its 2025 home record to 3-0 and is its first conference win of the season. The Nittany Lions had a standout performance on bars, tallying a new season-best team score of 49.250 with five gymnasts scoring a 9.8-or-higher. The group was led by graduate student Gabbie Gallentine who posted a season-best 9.9 total to lead Penn State and the overall bars score during the meet. Kalea McElligott performed well as she competed three out of the four events against Rutgers. McElligott's 9.7 score on vault placed fourth overall, her 9.775 score on beam was tied for second overall with teammate Ashley Maul and her 9.875 score on floor was the highest overall score during the meet.
Last Time Out
The Fighting Illini were defeated 197.200-194.700 by the No. 8 UCLA Bruins on Saturday (Jan. 25) in their first Big Ten match up at Pauley Pavilion. The Orange and Blue started the night on uneven bars, where Chloe Cho earned a 9.850, tying a career high. Senior Makayla Green and fifth year Amelia Knight followed closely behind with a 9.825 and 9.800 respectively. Illinois turned up the heat on vault, with Olivia Coppola setting a new season high (9.800) on vault in the lead-off spot. Cho again worked some magic, earning a career-high 9.875 before Mareli Muller tied her career high (9.800). The Illini were back 0.575 of the Bruins as they headed into the third rotation: floor exercise. Emmalise Nock earned a season-high 9.875 to lead the Illini. Arielle Ward (9.750) had her sass and style on full display, entertaining the crowd of over 7,000. The final rotation would be where Illinois' night stalled. After two routines with large deductions, Knight (9.775) and Coppola (9.800) were able to right the course. Cho continued her strong showing with another career high on beam (9.925), earning her the event title. Kentucky transfer Megan Sapp made her Illini debut as a beam exhibitionist with a 9.775.
The Cho Show
- Chloe Cho earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors following her performance against Nebraska on Jan. 18.
- In just her second collegiate meet, Cho's determination shone through, as she took the top spot on floor and in the all-around competition.
- The Simi Valley, Calif., native started off the meet with a 9.800 on vault, before breaking her career-high score on uneven bars with a 9.850. On balance beam, she earned another career record with a 9.825.
- In the final rotation, Cho shattered her previous best (9.625), earning a 9.925 on floor. Her all-around score of 39.400 was also a new personal best.
Look Out!
- Freshman Chloe Cho and junior Arielle Ward were named to the Big Ten's Gymnasts to Watch during the preseason.
- Cho was previously a Level 10 state champion and nationals qualifier. The Simi Valley, Calif., native competed in the 2024 U.S. Championships, where she scored personal bests in the all-around competition on back-to-back days.
- In her collegiate debut at the Ball State Quad (Jan. 12), she earned her first event title on vault with a 9.850.
- In the Illini's home opener vs. Nebraska (Jan, 18), Cho won two more titles: on floor and in the all-around.
- Ward is entering her third season with the Illini after competing in all 16 meets last season, primarily on vault and floor. The Frisco, Texas, native won third place on vault (9.900) at the 2024 Big Ten Championships, earning her a spot on the All-Championship Team.
- Ward took home the vault title in her season debut on the apparatus vs. Nebraska (Jan. 18) with a 9.850.
Give Her Five
- After four years in Champaign-Urbana, Amelia Knight thought her time with the Illinois women's gymnastics team was over. Instead, Knight received the opportunity to come back for one more year.
- Knight immediately stepped into the lineup as a freshman, making her debut on beam and floor during the Illini's first meet of the 2021 season. The following year, she grew more comfortable, confident, and consistent, appearing in all 13 meets while garnering Academic All-Big Ten honors for the first time.
- As a junior, Knight helped the Illini set the program's beam record with a career-high 9.925 while once again competing in every meet. Also finding success off the mat, she earned Academic All-Big Ten status for the second consecutive season while being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
- With increased expectations for herself and the team, Knight is ready to make a splash heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
Division I Career Record: 155-186-1 (.455), 21st season
At Illinois: 91-60-1 (.602), Eighth season
Big Ten: 70-59-1 (.542), Eighth season
Complete Illinois Meet Notes (PDF)
