Iowa City, Iowa - The Illinois Women's Gymnastics program completed their first meet of the 2026 season at the Border Battle Quad Meet. Six gymnasts made their Illini debuts on the team's way to a runner-up finish.Â
The Orange and Blue started the afternoon on floor, where they tallied a team score of 48.450. Chloe Cho, coming off earning the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the year, won the event with score of 9.850. Three Illini, Callie Kauffman (9.700), Skylar Ray Dixon (9.600), and Hayden Seymour (9.450) made their collegiate debuts on the apparatus.
In the second rotation, the Illini hit the springboard. The Orange and Blue had two gymnasts receive a 9.725 (Olivia Coppola and Summer Clancy), and the Illini's team score on the vault was 48.650.
The uneven bars were the best of event of the Illini's night (49.050). Chloe Cho earned her first title of the night, with an impressive 9.950 in the third rotation. Lyden Saltness was not far behind, as she earned a 9.925, which is five hundredths of a point short from her career high.
In the last event, Chloe Cho won yet another title on the balance beam (9.900). Freshman Summer Clancy put up a 9.800 in her first NCAA meet, and the team score for the apparatus was a 48.800.
While Illinois fell short of the team title, Chloe Cho was an individual superstar, taking the titles of the uneven bars (9.950), the balance beam (9.900), and the all-around (39.525). All 24 routine scores for the day totaled a team score of 194.950.
"Today was a great start to our season. The team went into a very competitive environment and handled it with great composure. Our freshmen did a stellar job in all their roles and definitely did not function like freshmen," Head Coach Josh Nilson said. "The highlight of the meet was Chloe Cho having the second highest all-around of her collegiate career, but there are so many other highlights as well. Another notable performance was Lyden getting a 9.925 in her debut back in the uneven bars lineup. I have some adjustments to make this week, but overall this is a great opening meet."
The Illini will face Penn State on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. CT for their home opener.
Team Results
- Iowa – 196.00
- Illinois - 194.950
- Iowa State – 193.450
- UW-Eau Claire – 191.900
Event Winners
Chloe Cho – Bars  (9.950)
Chloe Cho – Beam (9.900)
Chloe Cho - All-around (39.525)
