Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -Â The Fighting Illini hosted Washington and Illinois State for a tri meet on Senior Day, placing first with a score of 195.825. Washington finished with 194.875, and Illinois State with 194.775.
On vault, Olivia Coppola and Chloe Cho led off with a pair of 9.775s before Arielle Ward scored the team-leading 9.800. The Illini led after the first rotation, 0.125 ahead of Washington and 0.300 ahead of Illinois State.
Transitioning over to bars, Amelia Knight earned a season-high 9.900 to lead the way for the Illini and earn a share of the title. Cho contributed a 9.850 to the mix, and Makayla Green and Ward added a pair of 9.800s. Halfway through the meet, Illinois would increase their lead, 0.275 ahead of Illinois State and 0.675 ahead of Washington.
On beam, it was Ruthuja Nataraj's season-high 9.875 that rose to the top for the Illini and secured the event title. Olivia Coppola followed Nataraj with a 9.850. While the Illini's lead took a hit, they held steady, leading Illinois State and Washington by 0.175 and 0.425 respectively headed into the last rotation.
Senior Emmalise Nock shone in her floor routine, securing a 9.900 for the second time this season. Cho earned a 9.875, and Eden King and Tali Joelson scored a pair of 9.825s.
Cho's all-around score once again rose to the top of the leaderboard.
"I'm super proud of the team for their performances tonight," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "They stuck together and stayed focused on taking the routines one step at a time. It feels good to watch them capture another Big Ten win, especially since we had to overcome adversity, with multiple sick athletes this week. Chloe was steady and confident, as always, and we had a few standout performances from some of our seniors; Amelia on bars, Ruthu on beam, and Emmalise on floor. I love it when seniors have great performances on their senior night!"
The Orange and Blue will be back in action on March 1, as they head to College Park, Md. for the Big Four meet vs. Maryland, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Event Winners
Chloe Cho - All-Around (39.200)
Amelia Knight - Uneven Bars (9.900)
Ruthuja Nataraj - Balance Beam (9.875)
Career Highs
Kennedy Brown - Floor Exercise (9.775)
