Lyden Saltness

University of Illinois Athletics

2026 Women's Gymnastics Roster

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Letterwinner (2024, 25)

Event	Score
Bars	9.975 \| at Big 5 Meet \| Feb. 24, 2024
Balance Beam	9.850 \| at Western Michigan Quad \| March 8, 2025

Competed in five meets on balance beam
Made her debut on balance beam at Iowa on Feb. 16
Earned a new career high and took home the event title on balance beam (9.850) at Western Michigan Quad on March 8
Academic All-Big Ten
Big Ten Distinguished Scholar

Second Team All-Big Ten
Made Illini debut on bars (9.875) against No. 12 Ohio State on Jan. 29
Competed in 13 meets on bars
Scored a new career high on bars (9.975) at the Big 5 Meet on Feb. 24
Won three-straight bars titles (9.975 at Big 5, 9.900 at All-Ohio Meet, 9.900 versus Bowling Green)

Placed first on bars at the 2023 National Elite Qualifier
Placed first on bars at the 2023 WOGA Classic Elite Qualifier
Placed first on bars Vegas Cup 2023 TOPs Session
Placed first in every event and the all-around at the 2020 KPAC Cup National Elite Qualifier and the 2020 Metroplex Challenge
Placed in the top five in all five events at the 2018 National Elite Qualifier – first on vault, second on bars, second on beam, fourth on floor and second in all-around

Born Dec. 1, 2004
Parents are James and Tiffany Saltness
Has an older brother, Dalton, and a twin brother, Wyatt
Her grandfather, Larry Lyden, was an Olympic wrestler in 1968
Her mother, Tiffany was a gymnast at Hamlin for four years
Her father, James, played football, hockey and baseball at Hamlin for four years
Chose Illinois "due to the amazing academic help they have to give to everyone. The gymnastics team and coaches all seem very supportive and have a family bond that I love and can't wait to be a part of it. I honestly loved everything about Illinois the first time I saw it!"