Most collegiate teams have either experienced athletes or young talent. The Illinois women’s gymnastics team has a mix of gymnasts on both levels.

“With such a solid mix of experienced individuals and new members, we have high hopes for this season,” senior Kim Kruk said.

Most collegiate teams have either experienced athletes or young talent. The Illinois women’s gymnastics team has a mix of gymnasts on both levels.

“With such a solid mix of experienced individuals and new members, we have high hopes for this season,” senior Kim Kruk said.

Illinois four seniors – Marijka Botterman, Julie Crall, Lindsey Smith and Kruk – serve as valuable examples to the three freshman, Alyssa Harmon, Kelsey Joannides and Hannah Welker, who will all have valuable experience once the gymnastics season officially begins Jan. 9.

“This event really gave us an experience to get pumped up and see what potential we have for the season,” Kruk said

Sunday evening, in front of 600 fans at Huff Hall. The team showed Illini fans a taste of the talent they are bringing to the team.

In the Mixed Pairs Exhibition with the men’s gymnastics team, the women and men were broken into 10 groups with the two squads being paired together.

Junior Sarah Schmidt, the 5-foot-2 athlete from Hartland, Wis., captured the female portion of the mixed pairs title, with a perfect 10 on the uneven bars.

Along with their male counterparts, Botterman and last year’s standout sophomore Allison Buckley tied for second place in the exhibition.

“I am just really happy that I hit both of my events, my beam event and my floor event. Every meet is a success where you hit both of your events,” Buckley said.

With this being their first competition since April, the ladies were “able to get all the beginning of the season jitters out,” sophomore Lashlee Morris said.

The girls had successful performances with a few mistakes and falls on the bars.

They performed close to the caliber of the men’s team, Buckley said.

Four girls were out with minor injuries for the first exhibition, but all the athletes should be back in action for the regular season.

“I think that this was a good experience in Huff Hall. We were able to do very well here and it is exciting that we can host Big Ten competitions this year,” Buckley said. “I think it’s going to be a successful year and we definitely have a shot at Nationals.”

The women’s gymnastics team, currently ranked 16th in the nation, is ready for the start of their official season this January.