CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illini women's gymnastics team opens the 2019 conference slate vs. Maryland on Saturday afternoon inside Huff Hall. The meet will commence at 2 pm CT and will be streamed live on BTN Plus and FloGymnastics. The last time Illinois competed against Maryland in a dual meet was 2006, when the Illini defeated the Terrapins 192.450-190.400 inside Huff Hall.

Marketing Promos and Giveaways – Kids Club Day

Celebrating some of our littlest fans on Saturday afternoon for Kids Club Day in Huff Hall! The first 300 fans ages 13 and younger will receive leotard t-shirts. Our Kids Zone featuring some fun and creative activities, such as balloon art and a poster-making and coloring station. Afterwards, the Illini will be available to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

Scouting the Opposition | Maryland (3-0)

Following in his father's footsteps, Maryland's Brett Nelligan is entering his 10th season at the helm. On May 1, 2009, he became the fourth head coach in program history following the retirement of his father, Bob Nelligan… During last season's home opener, the Terrapins recorded their second win in program history over Penn State, marking their first since joining the Big Ten... Upsetting No. 11 Nebraska and No. 24 Ohio State, Maryland finished second behind Illinois at the Big Five meet in 2018… Nelligan led the program to seven straight NCAA Regional appearances (2009-15)… While in the EAGL conference, Nelligan guided the team to an impressive 18-3-1 and 11-1 conference record in 2013, while the team finished second at the EAGL Championships… Led by First Team All-Big Ten honoree, Audrey Barber, and veteran performers Shynelle Agaran, Kirsten Peterman, and Alecia Farina. Sophomore sensations Sabriyya Rouse and Emilie LeBlanc also add depth to the team. The Terrapins welcome West Virginia junior-transfer, Tiara Wright, and freshman duo Alexsis Rubio and Sanya Glauber.

Last Time Out

Illinois women's gymnastics opened their home slate upsetting No. 7 Kentucky in a competitive quad meet on Jan. 13. Their season-high 195.175 placed them second-overall with Oregon State taking the title with a 195.225. The Illini hit season-high team scores on bars (48.900), beam (48.700), and floor (49.000). Their 49.000 on floor is the first time the Illini have hit the 49 mark on any event this season.

The Orange and Blue captured three out of the five individual titles with redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto winning bars and beam with a pair of 9.875s, while sophomore Kylie Noonan captured the floor title with a career-high 9.900. Noonan had the highest mark on any event during the entire meet. Sophomore Kasey Meeks finished second on vault with a season-high 9.825, while Nicole Biondi's season-best 9.800 on bars was good enough to tie for third. Senior Rachael Donovan made her season debut on bars with a solid 9.750.

Returners

The Illini return 21 routines and eight letterwinners from 2018. Four seniors lead the team — Mary Jane Otto (formerly Horth), Rachael Donovan, Julia Hutcherson, and Haylee Roe, while juniors Rae Balthazor and Karen Howell return for their third season with the program. With a year under their belt, sophomores Nicole Biondi, Kasey Meeks, and Kylie Noonan add depth to the lineups.

Newcomers

With her first incoming class for the orange and blue, head coach Nadalie Walsh and the Illini welcomed four freshmen, Mallory Mizuki (Shelby Township, Mich.), Shaylah Scott (Plano, Texas), Torie Stotz (Western Springs, Ill.), and Erin Weisel (Carlsbad, Calif.). All four are expected to immediately elevate the program after successful club careers in the Junior Olympic program. The offseason also proved generous for the Illini as Walsh added early freshman enrollee Grace Hester and Maryland transfer Morgan Bixler from Big Ten opponent, Maryland. Bixler will add depth to the Illini vault and bars lineups, while Hester is looking to contribute on bars.

Big Ten Predictions

The Big Ten Conference were well-represented in the WCGA Preseason Coaches' poll as eight of its 10 programs appeared in the top-36. Illinois ranked third in the preseason Big Ten women's gymnastics coaches' poll. The Orange and Blue moved four spots from the previous year, where they began the season in seventh-place. Reigning Big Ten champion, Michigan, topped the league list announced in mid-December.

Gymnasts to Watch

Illinois juniors Rae Balthazor and Karen Howell were named to the Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch list. Balthazor finished second-team All-American in 2018 on floor when she earned a score of 9.900 to finish eighth in the NCAA Semifinal session. She also received first team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Howell won six individual event titles and earned three career-highs on bars (9.925), beam (9.900), and floor (9.900) in 2018. Also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Otto Granted Another Year of Eligibility

The Illini received exciting news in May when All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree, Mary Jane Otto (formerly Horth), was awarded another year of eligibility by the NCAA. Otto, a three-time NACGC Regular-Season All-American (First team -1, Second team - 2), was sidelined for her junior (2016) and redshirt senior year (2018) due to season ending injuries. A sixth year of gymnastics eligibility means Otto will be able to compete in the 2019 season while continuing her studies at Illinois. The 2017 Big Ten bars champion is looking to make an immediate impact in her final year wearing the Orange and Blue.

A Head Above the Rest

At 5'9", Illini freshman Shaylah Scott may be tall, but joins the Illinois women's gymnastics program with a wealth of national experience. A two-time Junior Olympic Level 10 National and Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier, Scott impressed at the 2016 Junior Olympic Level 10 Nationals, winning the all-around and vault titles and becoming a member of the Junior Olympic National Team. At the 2016 Region 3 Level 10 Championship, Scott swept all four events and the all-around to qualify to nationals. Gaining podium experience at the Nastia Liukin Cup, the Plano, Texas native competed in the junior division, finishing second on floor and in the all-around and third on vault and beam in 2015. With long lines and a strong build, Scott is one to watch for this season.

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