2010 - Senior: National qualifier in the all-around ... Was the top all-arounder on a non-qualifying team at the NCAA Central Regional, posting a 39.225 to finish third overall behind two gymnasts from No. 1 Alabama ... Placed second on floor at the NCAA Central Regional with a 9.925 ... First-team All-Big Ten selection ... Won the floor title at all six Big Ten dual meets and tied her own school record with a 9.950 on floor against Michigan ... Scored a career-best 39.425 in the all-around against Missouri, which tied the fifth-best score in school history ... Was second on the team with 12 individual titles (UB-3, BB-1, FX-7, AA-1) and ranks sixth in school history with 29 career individual titles (UB-12, BB-1, FX-14, AA-2) ... Set or tied her career high on all four events and in the all-around this season ... Named team's Most Outstanding performer along with Fernandez ... Academic All-Big Ten selection.
2009 - Junior: Second-team All-American on floor, finishing sixth in Session 2 and 11th overall at the NCAA Championships with a 9.850 ... Big Ten Floor Champion with a school record-tying score of 9.950 ... Second-team All-Big Ten selection ... Scored a 9.875 on floor to take sixth at the West Regional ... Set a career-high all-around score of 39.275 to take third at the State of Illinois Classic ... Named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week (Jan. 19) after winning two individual titles against Penn State ... Set or tied her career-high in all four events and the all-around ... Won nine individual titles (four on uneven bars and five on floor exercise) and recorded 18 top-three finishes ... Hit 39 of 43 routines on the season, including a perfect 12-for-12 on floor and 13-of-14 on bars ... Academic All-Big Ten selection.
2008 - Sophomore: Competed in 11 of 13 meets, missing two due to a sprained ankle ... Finished in a tie for third on bars at the NCAA South Central Regional with a 9.850 ... Tied for third on the uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships with a career-high tying 9.900 ... Claimed four individual titles (three on bars and one in the all-around) and 12 top-three finishes ... Won the all-around title at Iowa with a career-high 39.050 ... Won bar titles at Iowa/MSU, vs. Missouri and at UIC.
2007 - Freshman: Competed in every meet during her rookie campaign including at least three events (bars, beam and floor) in the final 12 meets and all-around in four of the last five meets ... Tied for second place on the uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships with a career-high 9.900, helping the Illini to a season-high team bars score of 49.300 ... Finished sixth in the all-around at Big Tens (38.875) in just her third career all-around performance ... Won four event titles on the season (two on bars and two on floor) and had 20 top-three finishes ... Earned a season-high 39.000 in the all-around to finish third at the State of Illinois Classic ... Was a double-winner at Illinois State, taking bars (9.800) and floor (9.800) crowns ... Tied her season-highs on bars (9.800), beam (9.750) and floor (9.825) at Michigan State on 2/17, while winning her first career event title on floor ... Would later establish new career-high on bars (9.900 at Big Tens) and beam (9.775 at Denver), while equaling the 9.825 on floor vs. UIC ... Named the team's Most Improved Gymnast.
High School/Club: 2005 Junior Olympic National Qualifier ... Three-time National Qualifier Alternate (2003, '04 and '06) ... Placed fourth on floor at 2006 Regionals ... 2006 Level 10 Wisconsin State floor exercise champion, second-place finisher on bars and in the all-around, and third place finisher on vault ... Competed for Midwest Twisters ... Coached by Jack Nettesheim and Kathy Nelson.
Personal: Born April 14, 1988 ... Daughter of Roger and Kim Schmidt ... Says she chose Illinois because "of the team and the academics" ... Majoring in kinesiology.
Sarah's Career Highs
Vault: 9.850 (3/13/10)
Bars: 9.975 (3/20/10)
Beam: 9.850 (3/6/10)
Floor: 9.950 (twice, last 2/27/10)
All-Around: 39.425 (3/13/10)
Individual Titles
Bars: 12
Beam: 1
Floor: 14
All-Around: 2
Total: 29
The Schmidt File
Nickname: Sa
Favorite place on campus: Starbucks because it's where I get my best studying done
Funniest teammate: Kelsey because she is the biggest dork and laughs at anything and everything. She would laugh at her own reflection!
Favorite movie: My Best Friend's Wedding
Favorite sports team: Milwaukee Brewers
Favorite athlete: J.J. Hardy
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite book: The Kite Runner
Favorite TV show: Friends, but NCIS runs a close second
If I was on a reality show it would be: American Idol
I've been told I look like: Melissa from the Bachelor
One thing I can't go a day without: Milk
Secret talent of one of my teammates: Sam can do a great raptor impression
Something I've always dreamt about: Traveling Europe
Three words that describe me: Fun, reliable, interesting
Plans after Illinois: To become a physical therapist
Updated June 2010
