University of Illinois
Big Ten Championships
Illinois Readies for Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor
March 21, 2025 | Women's Gymnastics
PREVIEW
| ILLINOIS (9-12, 3-6 B1G) at BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS | |
|---|---|
| Big Ten Championships Central | |
| Date | Time |
Session I: March 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. CT Session II: March 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. CT Session III: March 22, 2025 at 4 p.m. CT |
| Location | Crisler Center | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
| Tickets | MGoBlue.com/tickets |
| TV | Big Ten Network |
| Live Stats | Session I | Session II | Session III |
| Printable Notes | Illinois |
| 2025 Stats |
Session I: Washington, Rutgers, Ohio State, Nebraska Session II: Iowa, Penn State, Maryland, Illinois Session III: Michigan, UCLA, Michigan State, Minnesota |
| Record Book | Illinois |
| Social Media | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini will head to Ann Arbor, Mich. to compete in Session II of the Big Ten Championships on March 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. CT. The Orange and Blue's session includes Iowa, Maryland and Penn State.
Last Time Out
Illinois closed out its 2025 regular season with a commanding 1.400-point win over Northern Illinois, 194.875-193.475. The Fighting Illini started the day with four straight sticks on vault, with Mareli Muller and Chloe Cho leading the charge with a pair of 9.825s. They would tie for the event title. Olivia Coppola was right behind with a 9.800. On the uneven bars, Destiny Denning, Makayla Green and Cho led the way with a trio of 9.800s. They would tie for first in the competition. On balance beam, Ruthuja Nataraj and Coppola led the way for the Illini with a set of 9.800s to earn shares of the title. Eden King was next up, scoring a 9.775. The Illini closed out the night on floor, with Cho and King leading the way. The freshmen duo earned 9.875s to tie for the title. Emmalise Nock and Kennedy Brown were next with 9.850s, and Tali Joelson and Coppola rounded out the scoring with 9.825s. Cho finished third in the all-around competition with a 38.800.
| 2025 BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TEAM | CONFERENCE | OVERALL |
| UCLA | 9-0 | 13-3 |
| Minnesota | 8-1 | 11-1 |
| Michigan State | 8-1 | 13-3 |
| Michigan | 6-3 | 10-6 |
| Iowa | 5-4 | 6-8 |
| Penn State | 4-5 | 11-7 |
| Maryland | 4-5 | 12-9 |
| Nebraska | 3-6 | 8-11 |
| Illinois | 3-6 | 9-12 |
| Ohio State | 2-7 | 3-10 |
| Rutgers | 1-8 | 15-9 |
| Washington | 1-8 | 3-15 |
B1G Recognitions
The 2025 All-Big Ten Women's Gymnastics teams were announced on Monday, March 17 by the conference. Student-athletes are named to All-Big Ten teams based on their standing in the National Qualifying Score. Freshman all-arounder Chloe Cho (Simi Valley, Calif.) was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection, as well as Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree. Cho was one of just two freshman to receive first-team honors this season, accompanied by Iowa's Aurélie Tran. Cho currently ranks in the top 100 on every apparatus and is in the top 40 nationally in the all-around; a feat no other Big Ten All-Freshman team member has accomplished this year. She is the first Illinois freshman to garner first-team honors since Mia Takekawa in 2020, and just the seventh in Illinois program history, joining Denise Lamborn (1987), Peggy Pullman (1990), Ashley Williams (2002), Nicole Cowart (2007), Allison Buckley (2008), and Takekawa (2020). Junior Tali Joelson (Seattle) was recognized as Illinois' Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree. The conference will announce its Gymnast of the Year, Coach of the Year, Specialist of the Year, and Freshman of the Year at the Big Ten Championships during the awards ceremony.
The Cho Show
- Chloe Cho is now a four-time winner of the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award (Jan. 18, Jan. 31, Feb. 11, Feb. 18).
- This is the most Freshman of the Week wins in a single season in program history.
- Cho has earned 11 event titles just eight competitions into her collegiate career.
- Won her first event title on vault at the Ball State Quad on Jan. 12 with a 9.850.
- Earned titles on floor and in the all-around on Jan. 18 vs. Nebraska.
- Event winner on balance beam (9.925) at No. 8 UCLA on Jan. 25.
- Won the beam and all-around titles at No. 24 Penn State on Jan. 31.
- Won floor with a career-high 9.950 against No. 9 Missouri on Feb. 9.
- Event winner on beam and bars at the Zou to the Lou Quad on Feb. 14.
- Won the vault and all-around titles at Iowa on Feb. 16.
Changing the Game
- Head coach Nadalie Walsh was named the inaugural Game Changer for Women in Sports Leadership Award, Gameday Spirit announced on Feb. 5, 2025. The award recognizes "an outstanding women leader who has made a lasting impact on women's sports through mentorship, innovation, and advocacy."
- The Game Changer Award was established to celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day and recognize women across the Midwest who elevate the presence and success of female athletes at all levels.
- Walsh was selected due to her dedication to "redefining coaching with her heart-first approach, ensuring that athletes feel valued, supported, and empowered."
- Finalists for the award included:
- Cassie Arner– Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Fan Engagement, Fighting Illini Athletics
- Sara Burton – Chief Sports Officer, Senior Woman Administrator, Fighting Illini Athletics
- Shauna Green – Head Coach, Women's Basketball, Fighting Illini Athletics
- Courtney Layne Brewer – Sports Reporter, WCIA 3
- Amy Potter – Director, North American Partnerships, BMO Financial Group
Look Out!
- Freshman Chloe Cho and junior Arielle Ward were named to the Big Ten's Gymnasts to Watch during the preseason.
- Cho was previously a Level 10 state champion and nationals qualifier. The Simi Valley, Calif., native competed in the 2024 U.S. Championships, where she scored personal bests in the all-around competition on back-to-back days.
- She is now a four-time winner of the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award (Jan. 18, Jan. 31, Feb. 11, Feb. 18). This is the most Freshman of the Week wins in a single season in program history.
- Cho has won 11 titles in just eight meets this season.
- Ward is entering her third season with the Illini after competing in all 16 meets last season, primarily on vault and floor. The Frisco, Texas, native won third place on vault (9.900) at the 2024 Big Ten Championships, earning her a spot on the All-Championship Team.
- Ward took home the vault title in her season debut on the apparatus vs. Nebraska (Jan. 18) with a 9.850.
- Ward set career highs on vault in back-to-back meets (Feb. 7 & 9) to earn back-to-back event titles vs. No. 18 Ohio State and No. 9 Missouri.
Give Her Five
- After four years in Champaign-Urbana, Amelia Knight thought her time with the Illinois women's gymnastics team was over. Instead, Knight received the opportunity to come back for one more year.
- Knight immediately stepped into the lineup as a freshman, making her debut on beam and floor during the Illini's first meet of the 2021 season. The following year, she grew more comfortable, confident, and consistent, appearing in all 13 meets while garnering Academic All-Big Ten honors for the first time.
- As a junior, Knight helped the Illini set the program's beam record with a career-high 9.925 while once again competing in every meet. Also finding success off the mat, she earned Academic All-Big Ten status for the second consecutive season while being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
- With increased expectations for herself and the team, Knight is ready to make a splash heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
Head Coach Nadalie Walsh
Division I Career Record: 161-196-1 (.451), 21st season
At Illinois: 97-70-1 (.584), Eighth season
Big Ten: 72-64-1 (.529), Eighth season
