Illini bring home another Illinois Classic victory
Illinois’ Mary Jane Horth performs a routine on the uneven parallel bars during a meet against Minnesota at Huff Hall on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015.
March 6, 2017
The Illinois women’s gymnastics team scored 196.150 points last weekend, giving the team an Illinois Classic victory in Normal, Illinois.
Mary Jane Horth finished with two event titles on the balance beam and vault.
The Illini started the tournament on beam — they are currently No. 8 in the country in the competition.
Haylee Roe began the rotation for the Illini with a 9.725. Horth landed a 9.875, while Brielle Nguyen and Lizzy LeDuc each notched a 9.85.
The Illini produced a 49.1 in their first rotation, putting them in the lead in their transition to the floor rotation.
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“I was really pleased with our performance today,” said head coach Kim Landrus. “Beam started off the meet strong, and we carried that confidence throughout the entire competition.”
Bridget Hodan matched her season-high and LeDuc nailed a 9.875 after strong finishes on floor. Erin Buchanan earned a 9.85, while Roe and freshman Karen Howell added 9.8 points each to the team’s rotation lead.
Going into the vault rotation, the Illini kept the lead with 98.300 points after their promising performances on floor.
Illinois landed a 48.825 overall on vault.
“Horth taking the vault and beam honors is a reflection of how she learns from each of her performances to better herself every day,” Landrus said.
Horth was the leading scorer in the vault rotation with a 9.825. Following behind her was LeDuc and freshman Rae Balthazor, who tied her season-high, both earning a 9.775; senior Sarah Lyons added 9.75 to the Illinois score.
Even with a rocky rotation, with one rotation left in the meet, the Illini led the competition with Northern Illinois following close behind.
Illinois finished the meet on the uneven bars. Howell nailed a career-high 9.875 on the bars, helping the Illini add to their overall winning score of 196.150 points.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Howell,” Landrus said. “Hitting four-for-four routines and ending on bars with a 9.875 shows the grit and determination she has to succeed every day.”
The Illini will host the Big Five Meet at State Farm Center next Saturday.
