Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics squad recorded its season-high team score in a narrow 196.950-196.850 loss to No. 15 Minnesota Sunday afternoon from Huff Hall.
The Illini move to an even 7-7 on the year and 1-4 in conference competition while the Golden Gophers climb to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten action.
"This team has to earn every single score they get," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "They don't get handouts so they're being conditioned to be very tight-minded and do what they need to do so when we get to the end of the season and into postseason, they will be able to fight for every tenth."
Throughout the meet, Illinois and Minnesota were neck-and-neck, with the Golden Gophers holding a slim lead of 49.075-49.050 after the first rotation.
Illinois took a 98.400-98.100 lead after bars, before Minnesota regained the lead following the third rotation at 147.600-147.575.
The Golden Gophers sealed the win after two 9.900s from Sarah Moraw and Ella Sirjord on beam in the final rotation.
Three Illini took home event wins. Abby Mueller was victorious on vault (9.875), Mia Takekawa on bars (9.925), and Ruthuja Nataraj in a three-way tie on beam (9.900).
Event breakdown:
Vault
The Illini notched their second-best team vault score of the season with a 49.050. Arielle Ward registered a 9.850 on the event. Alea Byrne earned a 9.800 towards the team score while Mia Takekawa posted a 9.800 in an exhibition routine.
Bars
Illinois tallied a season-high score of 49.350 on bars. Takekawa led the Illini with a 9.925 while Ameilia Knight and Lyden Saltness' turned in 9.875s. Kaitlyn Ewald earned a 9.850 with Mueller posting a 9.825 on the event.
Beam
Ewald and Knight each earned a 9.850 reading on beam. Takekawa rounded the event out with a 9.800 on the event.
Floor
Mia Townes led Illinois with a 9.900 on floor followed by Kadyn Fitzgibbon earning a 9.875, tying her season high. Allie Morgan and Byrne each scored a 9.850 while Ward and Mueller both earned a 9.825.
Up Next:
Illinois will head to University Park, Pa., for the annual Big Five meet. The Illini will be in the afternoon session, set to start at 3:30 p.m. CT, against host Penn State, Iowa, No. 25 Maryland, and No. 11 Michigan.
