Feb. 15, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team recorded two more season team highs, but it was not enough as they came up short at Ohio State, 195.850-193.675. Illinois falls to 3-7 overall, 1-3 in the Big Ten.
Freshman Ashley Williams tied her career high of 39.125, which she set five days ago at UIC, to take the all-around title. She led the Illini on the uneven bars, scoring a 9.850 for fourth place. Williams also turned in the highest Illinois score on the floor exercise, taking fourth with a 9.875. Gallagher took second in the all around with a 39.075. She had the highest individual finish of the night, tying for first on the balance beam with a 9.800. Freshman Lauren Newcomb paced the vaulters scoring a 9.775 to tie for second.
The two squads were tied after the first rotation. The Illini nailed their high bar routines, recording their highest team score of the season, a 49.850. The Buckeyes vaulted to an identical score resulting in the tie. Illinois proceeded to vault to a season-best score of 48.825, but it was not enough as Ohio State earned a 49.275 on the bars to take the lead. The Illini continued to play catch-up turning in high marks on the floor exercise to pull closer. Illinois was unable to match the Buckeyes in the final rotation, coming up short in the end.
The Illini return home on Saturday to host Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. at Huff Hall.
RESULTS
Vault - 48.525
T2 Newcomb 9.775
5 Kaufman 9.750
T7 Williams 9.675
T7 Hawley 9.675
T10 Gallagher 9.650
T10 Buranich 9.650
Bars - 48.850
4 Williams 9.850
T5 Buranich 9.825
T8 Gallagher 9.775
T8 Kapernekas 9.775
11 Hawley 9.625
12 Ruffolo 8.650
Beam - 47.500
T1 Gallagher 9.875
5 Williams 9.725
7 Kaufman 9.600
8 Hawley 9.425
11 Dann 8.950
12 Berg 8.600
Floor - 48.800
4 Williams 9.875
T5 Gallagher 9.850
7 Newcomb 9.825
9 Dann 9.650
T10 Mesik 9.600
T10 Kaufman 9.600
All-Around
1 Williams 39.125
2 Gallagher 39.075
