LINCOLN, Neb. – The Illinois women's gymnastics team battled tough, but ultimately fell to No. 18 Nebraska, 197.250-194.675, Saturday night at Bob Devaney Sports Center. The road score is almost a two-point improvement from their season opener at Central Michigan.
"There were definitely some great highlights to this meet," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "I wish the momentum would have stayed in our favor for the remainder of the night, but we will take the highlights and celebrate those and fix the mistakes this week in the gym."Â
The Illini earned one event title as junior Rae Balthazor continues to impress on bars. She scored a season-best 9.925 on the event for her sixth-career bars win. Her score on the event ties for the 10th best bars score in program history.
As one of the most consistent Illini the past two weeks, junior Karen Howell played a big role in the team's success, scoring a 39.275 to finish second in the all-around. She finished second on bars with a 9.900, behind fellow Illini, Balthazor. The Michigan native also recorded a new career-high on vault with a 9.750.
"I am so proud of Karen (Howell) for maintaining her confidence throughout the entire meet and claiming her personal best AA score," noted Walsh.
Redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto also had a top three finish on beam with an impressive 9.825.
Illinois started the meet strong on bars with a season-high 49.425. This marked the highest team score on the event since the 2015 Big Ten Championship, tying for the third best bars score in program history. Balthazor had the best Illinois score of the night with a 9.925 as the anchor. Along with Balthazor, Howell (9.900), Otto (9.875), and sophomore Nicole Biondi (9.850) all recorded season-highs on bars. Senior Rachael Donovan rounded out the Illini with a career-high 9.875.
"I am thrilled to have the bars team pull together some of the best routines they have done so far," said Walsh. "Lindsay Dwyer started off our line up incredibly strong and we just build from that point."
The Orange and Blue edged the Huskers on bars, 49.425-49.375. Going into the second rotation, the Illini had the lead 49.425-49.150. Illinois battled through the vault, earning a 48.300. The squad was led by Kasey Meek's solid 9.775. Howell added another career-high on vault with a 9.750, while Otto notched a 9.725.
Illinois scored a respectable 48.750 on the floor. Freshman Shaylah Scott led off with a solid 9.700. After technical difficulties with floor music, Balthazor notched a 9.725. Howell added a strong 9.825, while sophomore Kylie Noonan anchored with her second 9.875 of the season.
Closing out the meet on beam, Illinois posted a 48.200, led by sixth year Otto, who recorded a 9.825. Howell and Balthazor both recorded season-highs on beam with a pair of 9.800s. Senior Haylee Roe also led the Illini off strong with a 9.725 on the event.
"We are the Fighting Illini and will fight back and come back stronger," noted Walsh. "We always do."
Up next, the Illini return home to Huff Hall to face No. 25 Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 2. The Salute to Service meet is slated for a 4 p.m. CT start and will honor all current and former military members in attendance. The event will be streamed live on BTN Plus and FloGymnastics, featuring Orri Benatar and former Illini and Big Ten Beam Champion Bridget Hodan as commentators.
After the meet, the Orange and Blue will be hosting their first free youth clinic of the season. For more information and to register, click here.
Illini Notes
- The Illini led the Huskers after the first rotation, recording a season-high 49.425 on bars. This marked the highest team score on the event since the 2015 Big Ten Championship, tying for the third best bars score in program history.
- Junior Karen Howell led the Illini with a 39.275 career-high in the all-around. This placed her second overall in the competition.
- Junior Rae Balthazor won her first bars title of the season with a season-high 9.925. This ties her for the 10th best bars score in program history.
- Howell recorded a season-high 9.900 on bars, placing second behind teammate, Balthazor.
- Howell earned a new career-high on vault with a 9.750.
- Five out of the six Illini on bars recorded season or career-highs on the event, while also posting scores of 9.800 or higher.
- Senior Rachael Donovan recorded a career-high 9.875 on bars. While Balthazor (9.925), Howell (9.900), redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto (9.875), and sophomore Nicole Biondi (9.850) all recorded season-highs on the event.
- Otto earned an impressive 9.825 on beam to tie for third on the event.
- Howell and Balthazor both recorded season-highs on beam with a pair of 9.800s.
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