PDF Results 

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The No. 15 Illinois women's gymnastics team fell to 23-ranked Missouri 195.350-195.075 in the 2016 season opener. Trailing by just .275 heading into the final rotation, the Illini were unable to overcome the Tigers despite finishing with a strong performance on beam. The Orange and Blue started the season with a score over 195 for the third time in program history, a feat the Illini also accomplished in 2014 and 2015.

"Tonight was a starting point for our team," head coach Kim Landrus said. "The first two events started off slow. It's pertinent that the girls learn from what didn't go as well as we had hoped. They have a lot of passion and heart. Now they need to convert it to applying corrections and doing that little bit of 'extra' so the mistakes don't reoccur." 

All-Americans Giana O'Connor and Mary Jane Horth garnered event titles for the Illini. O'Connor claimed the all-around title (39.275) and finished tied for first on beam (9.850) and floor (9.900). Horth finished first on bars (9.900) and also finished second in the all-around (39.175).

Four Illini made their competitive debuts for the Orange and Blue tonight. Freshman Lizzy LeDuc competed in the all-around, finishing with a 38.850. Fellow freshmen Rachael Donovan and Haylee Roe competed on bars and floor, respectively. Additionally, Bridget Hodan led off on beam in her first competitive routine.

"Tonight was the debut of Haylee, Rachael and Lizzy which is always an exciting personal moment," Landrus said. "Bridget also competed her first Illini routine for a score and did remarkable. All four of them had highlights which they'll always remember."

Illinois started the meet on bars and took a 48.825-48.600 lead over the Tigers after the first rotation. Mary Jane Horth led the Illini in the event with a 9.900. Sunny Kato and Giana O'Connor followed with a 9.850 and 9.825, respectively. LeDuc and Donovan both added 9.625's to round out the bars total.   

The Tigers garnered the lead after the second rotation, leading 97.775-97.150, as the Illini scored a 48.325 on vault. Heather Foley and O'Connor turned in the best Illini vaults with 9.700's that finished in third place. Horth followed with a 9.675, while Illinois also counted scores from LeDuc and Erin Buchanan who both scored a 9.625.

Illinois gained some ground on Missouri in the third rotation scoring a 48.975 on floor, reducing the deficit to 146.400-146.125. O'Connor led the Illini with a 9.900. LeDuc and Horth followed with a 9.800 that finished tied for third. Roe scored a 9.750 in her first competitive routine. Buchanan also scored on the event with a 9.725.

Illinois was very consistent on beam in the final rotation, scoring a 48.950. O'Connor led with a 9.850, while Hodan, Horth and LeDuc each garnered a 9.800. Kato added a 9.700 to complete the beam total.

Up next, the Illini head to Piscataway, New Jersey, next weekend to face Rutgers in their first Big Ten dual meet of the season. The meet is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 16 at Noon CT.