Results
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The No. 19 Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team fell to No. 18 Minnesota 195.775-195.000 Saturday afternoon inside the Sports Pavilion. Illinois produced one event title and seven (including all-around) top-3 finishes.
"Obviously, today was not the outcome that we wanted," head coach Kim Landrus said. "The team must commit to their gymnastics and expect success each and every day in the gym. When that happens, the results will follow."
Several Illini stepped up today with the absence of All-American Mary Jane Horth who was sidelined with an injury. Giana O'Connor garnered her ninth event title of the season, scoring a 9.800 on vault, and finished second in the all-around with her second 39.275 of the season. Lizzy LeDuc finished third in the all-around with a season-best 39.050.
"With MJ out of the lineups, I am hoping that this will fuel individuals to step up and fill the void," Landrus said. "They have had very successful high school careers, so they are fully capable of it."
Illinois led Minnesota by .050 after the first rotation. The Illini started the meet on bars totaling a 48.750, their second best mark on the event this season. O'Connor led the squad with a season-best 9.850 that placed second. Erin Buchanan followed with a 9.750. Lizzy LeDuc and Sarah Lyons added a 9.725 and Bridget Hodan scored a 9.700 in the first competitive bars routine of her Illini career.
Minnesota took a slight advantage (97.575-97.175) into the third rotation after Illinois scored a 48.425 on vault. O'Connor led with a 9.800 that finished tied for first. Buchanan followed with a 9.725. Heather Foley produced a 9.700, while LeDuc (9.675) and Jordyn Givens (9.525) also scored on the event.
Illinois totaled a 48.875 on floor in the third rotation. Buchanan led the Illini on floor for the second consecutive meet, scoring a 9.825 that placed second. LeDuc followed with a 9.800 that placed third and O'Connor added a 9.775. Hodan (9.750), Foley (9.725) and Haylee Roe (9.725) rounded out the floor lineup.
On beam in the final rotation the Orange and Blue produced a 48.950. Kato led the Illini with a 9.875 that placed second. O'Connor tied her season-best with a 9.850 and LeDuc also added a 9.850. Hodan (9.700) and Buchanan (9.675) also counted scores.
Up next, the Illini return home to Huff Hall to face Iowa on Feb. 13 at 4 p.m.
