SEATTLE - Illinois defeated Washington 194.475-194.400 in a down-to-the-wire dual meet Saturday. The Fighting Illini used a strong third rotation on floor exercise to overtake the Huskies and secure their first Big Ten victory. Sophomore Chloe Cho and junior Lyden Saltness led the way for Illinois, claiming individual event titles to help the team edge out the win by less than a tenth of a point.
Saltness provided the highest individual mark of the meet for Illinois on the uneven bars, where her 9.875 routine paced a 48.725 rotation for the orange team. Cho posted the team's highest scores on three different events. She earned a share of the vault title with a 9.825 and delivered a clutch 9.850 on the balance beam.
On vault, Illinois posted a 48.625.
In the third rotation, the Illini surged ahead with their highest event total of the day, a 49.075 on floor. Freshman Piper Gow led the group with a 9.850, while Cho and Eden King both turned in scores of 9.825.
While the Illini faced some adversity on the balance beam with a 48.050 team total, they remained focused heading into the final event. Kauffman's 9.775 on beam helped steady the rotation.
"We had a ard fought win tonight, but a win and a Big Ten win nonetheless. The team will continue to improve, build on the good and attack the mistakes. Chloe won yet another all-around. Lyden won the bars. I am proud of them."
Illinois travels to Lincoln, Neb. to take on the Cornhuskers Sunday, Feb. 15th at 2 p.m. CT.
