PREVIEW
The Illinois women's gymnastics team opens its season Saturday with a tri meet at No. 16 Missouri with Southeast Missouri State. The Illini return 11 letterwinners from the 2020 squad that finished second at the Big Ten Championships and reached the second round of the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional.
The Orange and Blue will look to seniors Karen Howell, Rae Balthazor, Morgan Bixler, and Brittany Jones, as well as juniors Kylie Noonan, Nicole Biondi, Kasey Meeks, Jaylen Spence, Rachel Borden, and Tessa Phillips for leadership. Fresh off a breakout debut season, sophomore Shaylah Scott highlights a sophomore class with a full year of college gymnastics under its belt. Big Ten Gymnast to Watch Mia Takekawa headlines a freshman class that figures to contribute significantly in 2020, including McKenzie Eddy, Lexi Powe, Arayah Simons, Olivia O'Donnell, Maggie Lampsa, Mia Townes, and Julia Waight.
Missouri starts 2020 ranked No. 16 in the WCGA Preseason Coaches Poll, its highest preseason ranking since 2011. The Tigers finished 2019 ranked No. 17 and reached the second round of the NCAA Athens Regional. Missouri returns seven gymnasts from last season's squad and welcomes eight freshmen.
Southeast Missouri State is coming off a winless 2019 campaign that saw a season-high team score of 190.275.
NOTES
- Illinois begins the season on the road for the 17th time in the past 18 seasons.
- The Illini will open the season in Columbia for the third time in five years.
- Illinois returns 25 routines and 11 letterwinners from the 2019 season.
- Senior Karen Howell and freshman Mia Takekawa were named to the Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch list for 2020.
UP NEXT
The Illini host Temple and Lindenwood in their first home meet of the season Thursday at 7 pm CT at Huff Hall.
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