Illinois Women's Gymnastics Advances to Round 2 of NCAA Regionals

Results

SEATTLE - The Fighting Illini defeated the UC Davis Aggies 195.475-194.050 in Round 1 of the NCAA Regionals.

The Orange and Blue started the day on vault, where Chloe Cho and Mareli Muller earned a pair of 9.750s before Eden King notched a 9.800 to take the top spot for the Illini and tie for the event title.

On bars, Kennedy Brown led off with 9.700 and Destiny Denning followed her up with a 9.775. It just kept getting better for the Illini, with Arielle Ward's 9.800 and Cho's 9.900. For the second meet in a row, Makayla Green would tie her 9.925 career high to lead the way for Illinois. Green, Cho, and Ward would sweep the bars podium.

In the third rotation, Megan Sapp earned a 9.725 to get the routines rolling. Lyden Saltness broke into the lineup, scoring a 9.750. Cho continued to dazzle, notching a 9.850 to lead the team.

Closing out the day on floor, Tali Joelson (9.775), Brown (9.750), and Olivia Coppola (9.800) gave the squad a strong start before King tied a career high with a 9.900, good for a share of the title.

"I'm very proud of the team for handling the pressure associated with competing in Round 1," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. " They stuck together and did what they needed to do to advance, but I truly believe their best performances are going to come tomorrow night. This team has the drive and hunger to do great things, so I'm excited for them to get some rest and show up tomorrow ready to go!"

The Illini are back in action tomorrow, April 4, to take on [2] Oklahoma, [15] Auburn, and Nebraska. Competition begins at 9 p.m. CT.

Event Winners

Makayla Green - Uneven Bars (9.925)

Eden King - Vault (9.800), Floor Exercise (9.900)

Career Highs

Makayla Green - Uneven Bars (9.925)

Eden King - Floor Exercise (9.900)