IOWA CITY, Iowa – With a season-best beam rotation that saw a career-high and two season-bests, the Illini women's gymnastics team earned their first road victory of the season with a 195.650, edging the Hawkeyes on Saturday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Illinois now has back-to-back victories over the Hawkeyes.
"The team did an outstanding job staying committed and unified," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "After some mishaps on floor, I was happy that the beam team stayed confident and rose under the pressure. I am really proud of them."
The Illini got off to a strong start, scoring their third 49.000+ on bars with a 49.100. Always a solid leadoff, junior Lindsay Dwyer tied a career-high 9.800 on bars. Sophomore Nicole Biondi finished third on bars, tying a season-high 9.850. Sophomore Kylie Noonan and veteran Mary Jane Otto also provided a pair of 9.825s to the rotation. Five out of the six Illini scored 9.800+ on bars, while four stuck their dismounts.
Illinois had some powerful vaults, recording a 48.650 event total. Sophomore Kasey Meeks won her seventh vault title with a 9.775, while redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto tied for second with a 9.750. Junior Karen Howell and senior Haylee Roe also contributed a pair of 9.725s.
With a tenth separating the Hawkeyes and Illini (97.850-97.750), the Orange and Blue were coming from behind going into the third rotation. Freshman Shaylah Scott and senior Roe have provided a consistent 1-2 punch at the beginning of the floor lineup, each scoring 9.800. After some landing errors in the middle of the rotation, Noonan anchored the lineup with a clean and entertaining routine for a 9.825.
The Illini had a sixth tenth advantage over the Hawkeyes going into the final rotation, 146.600-146.000. Under pressure, the Orange and Blue conquered the four-inch beam, recording a season-high 49.050 on the event. This marks the first 49.000+ on beam for the Illini this season.
Four out of the six Illini scored 9.800+ on the event, with freshman Shaylah Scott leading the way with another career-high (9.875) and second beam title. As a last-minute lineup change, Noonan followed with a season-high 9.800. Otto was also solid and confident, finishing second with a 9.850. Showing grace under pressure, Biondi anchored the beam lineup with a season-high 9.825, tying for third. After being added to the team yesterday, sophomore Rachel Borden scored a 9.700 for her exhibition beam routine.
"Everyone was rooting for Rachel (Borden) and it was exciting to see her do her routine confidently," noted Walsh. "She is a really good competitor and I cannot wait to keep coaching her."
Competing with an aggravated rib, Howell battled through the meet to capture her second all-around title with a 38.975.
Next up, Illinois travels to Toledo, Ohio for the Big Five Meet hosted by Elevate the Stage on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. CT. This will give the Orange and Blue a chance to compete on podium before the postseason. The Illini will compete against the leaders of the Big Ten, No. 8 Michigan and No. 16 Minnesota, along with No. 22 Ohio State, and Rutgers to determine the seeding for next month's Big Ten Championships hosted by Penn State. The meet will stream live on FloGymnastics.
"We need to boost the amplitude on our tumbling and be as polished as possible before heading to Toledo (Ohio) next week, "said Walsh.
Last season, the Illini had tremendous success at the Big Five Meet held in East Lansing, Mich. Illinois won the meet with a season-high 196.850, defeating Maryland, Ohio, Nebraska, and Michigan State. The team score also placed the Orange and Blue in the record books for the seventh-highest team score in program history. Rae Balthazor led the way with titles on bars, beam, and in the all-around.
Illinois Notes
- Illinois avenges their 2017 trip in Iowa City, Iowa when the Hawkeyes edged Illinois, 196.475-196.050.
- The last time the Orange and Blue won at Iowa was Feb. 14, 2015.
- Illinois now has back-to-back victories over the Hawkeyes.
- The Illini record their third 49.000+ on bars with a 49.100 against Iowa.
- Junior Lindsay Dwyer led off strong, tying a season-high 9.800 on bars.
- Sophomore Nicole Biondi tied a season-high 9.850 on bars, finishing third-overall.
- Five out of the six Illini scored 9.800+ on bars, while four stuck their dismounts.
- Sophomore Kasey Meeks won her seventh vault title with a 9.775, while redshirt senior Mary Jane Otto tied for second with a 9.750.
- Illinois recorded a season-high 49.050 on beam, which is their first 49.000+ of the season on that event.
- Four out of the six Illini scored 9.800+ on beam.
- Sophomore Kylie Noonan hit a season-high 9.800 on beam.
- Freshman Shaylah Scott earned her second beam title, besting a career-high with a 9.875.
- Biondi anchored the beam lineup with a season-high 9.825, tying for third.
- Otto impressed on beam, finishing second with a 9.850.
- The Illini went 1-2-3 on beam in the individual standings with Scott taking the title and Otto and Biondi following.
- After being added to the team yesterday, sophomore Rachel Borden scored a 9.700 for her exhibition beam routine.
- Junior Karen Howell showed toughness to earn her second all-around title with a 38.975.
Follow the Illini
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Women's Gymnastics. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for
