CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team travels to Iowa for their second meet against the Hawkeyes this season. The meet will not count towards conference record. At the first meet in Champaign, the Illini scored a 195.600 which at the time was a season high, but fell to Iowa who put up a 196.325.Â
Iowa won the Big Ten regular season, going undefeated in conference action. They are currently ranked No. 17 in the country based on the NQS system. Since the January meet Illinois has improved on nearly every event and continues to build on each routine.
The Last Time Out
Fighting Illini women's gymnastics came in second the Big Five in Maryland last Friday.Â
Mallory Mizuki impressed again on bars. She anchored the event for the Illini and scored a 9.925 on her second routine in competition ever for Illinois. It tied for the third best score of the night on the event. They scored another season-best 49.250 on the event. Ranked No. 19 in the country on the event, Mia Takekawa scored a team high 9.900 on the event for the second week in a row. Shaylah Scott anchored the event, scoring a 9.850.
Freshman Abby Mueller started floor with a 9.800. Mia Townes scored a career best 9.900 on the event. Her scored tied her for second on the event. Illinois put up a 49.025. Townes matched her career high, scoring a 9.850. Senior Nicole Biondi scored a 9.825 and completed her all-around with a score of 39.250.
In The Rankings
Illinois is ranked No. 19 for a second week following the conclusion of the Big Ten season. They started the season at No. 22 in the WCGA Preseason Coaches' poll. The Illini were the fourth-highest ranked Big Ten team and one of nine Big Ten teams ranked in the top-36 programs.
Illinois is ranked in the top 20 nationally in three events. They are 15th on beam and 19th on bars and floor. On vault they are ranked No. 29.
Mia Takekawa is ranked 23rd nationally on beam with a season high 9.925 and NQS of 9.900. She is ranked fifth in the region and tied for fourth in the Big Ten.
