Results
SEATTLE - Illinois finished third of four in the second round of NCAA Regionals with a score of 195.725 to conclude their 2025 campaign.
"I'm very proud of the fight inside each of my athletes," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "They had some great routines and conquered Round 2 of NCAA Regionals with five solid routines on each event. We didn't have to count a single error in either day of competition. They put everything out there, stayed unified, and represented Illinois so well."
The Illini started the night on beam, where Lyden Saltness led off with a 9.700. Chloe Cho contributed a 9.825, but it was fifth-year Amelia Knight who led the Orange and Blue with a season-high 9.900. She would finish tied for sixth in the session.
Over on floor, Eden King once again delivered the team's high score with a 9.850. Emmalise Nock followed suit with a 9.825, and Tali Joelson and Arielle Ward contributed 9.800s.
In the third rotation, Olivia Coppola started the scoring with a 9.775 on vault. Cho would follow with a 9.800 and Ward took the top spot for the Orange and Blue with a 9.850. Ward would end the day tied for second on the apparatus.
Closing out the night on bars, Makayla Green and Cho led the way with a pair of 9.825s. Ward and Destiny Denning added a pair of 9.750s to the mix.
Cho finished seventh in the all-around competition.
"Performing during the postseason is a lot of pressure, and my very young team handled it wonderfully in back-to-back meets," head coach Walsh said. "The valuable experience they have gained this week will mark them and motivate them toward even more greatness next year."
The Illini will await Sunday's Regional Final results for any potential individual qualifiers.
Team Scores
Oklahoma - 198.025
Auburn - 196.950
Illinois - 195.725
Nebraska - 195.675
