CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini are set to compete at the Western Michigan Quad on March 8 at 3 p.m. CT in Kalamazoo, Mich. facing off against Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Wilberforce (Ohio).
About the Opponents
The Western Michigan Broncos enter the meet with a 9-6 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference competition. They are riding a six-meet winning streak and recently posted the highest team score in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) this season, recording a 196.500 to defeat Eastern Michigan and Wilberforce. For the first time this season, the Broncos scored above 49.000 in every event, highlighted by a 49.200 on vault. DonnaKathryn Roy led the way with a career-high 9.875, tying for first place. That score also tied for the second-highest vault mark in program history. Western Michigan continued its success on bars with a 49.250, where Reilan Garvey and Reese Samuelson shared the event title. The Fighting Illini remain undefeated against Western Michigan in their last four matchups.
The Central Michigan Chippewas arrive in Kalamazoo with a 10-3 overall record and a 3-1 conference record. The Illini have also won their last four matchups against the Chippewas. In their most recent meet against Illinois State, Central Michigan narrowly fell short, 195.750 to 195.500. The Chippewas secured five podium finishes, including event wins on vault and floor from Lia Kmieciak and Luciana Alvarado-Reid, respectively. Alvarado-Reid, a junior, claimed her seventh all-around title of the 2025 season and continues to lead the MAC all-around standings.
Last Time Out
The Fighting Illini competed at the B1G Four Meet, finishing with a score of 195.275. Chloe Cho captured the vault title with a 9.900. The Illini were on a high on vault, earning four career highs on the apparatus (Kennedy Brown, Chloe Cho, Olivia Coppola, and Tali Joelson). Sophomore Lyden Saltness also set a new balance beam career high.
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.
Division I Career Record: 159-194-1 (.451), 21st season
At Illinois: 95-68-1 (.582), Eighth season
Big Ten: 72-64-1 (.529), Eighth season
Complete Meet Notes (PDF)
