CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois women's gymnastics took a season-high 197.275 on Sunday afternoon in Huff Hall on Senior Day.
The Illini hosted No. 21 Arizona, No. 13 Missouri and SEMO for a quad meet. Missouri came in first, scoring a 197.600, Illinois came in second, Arizona took third with a 196.875 and SEMO scored a 192.700 and came in fourth.
Six seniors were celebrated post meet: Kaitlyn Ewald, Amelia Knight, Allie Morgan, Abby Mueller, Mia Takekawa and Mia Townes.
"This was the best night to have our best night," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "We were more united today and that made the biggest difference. They were so invested in one another for every routine and that made a big impact. I'm so proud of them for making that connection and not just performing for a score, but performing for each other."
Lyden Saltness captured the bars event win with a 9.925 and Takekawa earned the beam event win with a 9.925, her second highest score of the season.
Event Breakdown
Vault
Townes tied her career high with a stunning 9.925 and took third place. Arielle Ward scored a 9.875 with Mueller earning a 9.850.
Bars
Takekawa placed second behind Saltness, scoring a 9.900. Knight also did well, taking a 9.800 for the third time this season.
Beam
Alea Byrne earned her way back into the lineup, scoring a career-high 9.875. This was the first time Byne competed on the apparatus since Jan. 13 against UW Oshkosh, Western Michigan and West Virginia. Knight and Ewald also earned a 9.875 with Townes scoring a 9.850.
Floor
Byrne continued her successful night, scoring a career-high 9.950 and coming in second behind Missouri's Jocelyn Moore's perfect 10.0. Townes also put up a stunning performance, taking a 9.925.
Up Next
Illinois will head into post season competition at the Big Ten Championships at 11 a.m. CT in East Lansing, Mich. at Jenison Field House.
