UI defeats Penn State in Pink Meet; LeDuc wins all-around
Justin Wolfe | The Daily Illini
Lizzy LeDuc on the balance beam during the match against Michigan at Huff Hall on January 22, 2016. She was recently named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week and she dominated the all-around Sunday.
January 30, 2017
After recognizing the breast cancer survivors that attended its annual pink meet, the Illinois women’s gymnastics team went on to defeat Penn State, 195.625-193.250.
Lizzy LeDuc, last week’s Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, won the all-around with four solid performances.
“I really do try to focus on one event at a time,” LeDuc said. “Today I hit four for four and I’m really happy about that. Getting the title for all-around was just a bonus.”
The Illini started at vault for the first rotation. Mary Jane Horth got the team in the right direction with a 9.725. Following her was Erin Buchanan with a 9.700. LeDuc finished the first rotation with a 9.800.
Trailing Penn State by 0.125, the Illini had better luck in the second rotation as they took on the uneven bars. Karen Howell scored a 9.850, marking a career-high and the first place title. Sarah Lyons started the Illini off with a season-high 9.825. LeDuc continued the momentum forward in the round with a 9.750. Rachel Donovan finished for the Illini in the second rotation with a career-high of 9.725,
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“Karen is so modest,” said head coach Kim Landrus. “I’ve seen such growth from her. She’s such a great competitor and athlete. It was good to see her hit that bar routine and succeed.”
After tallying a 48.975, the Illini took the lead going into the third rotation, but it was a tough rotation for the team on the balance beam. LeDuc led the Illini with a 9.850. Brielle Nguyen landed a 9.825, and Bridget Hodan pulled out a 9.800. Mary Jane Horth had a hard time: she fell and tallied a 9.150.
“This team did good on vault. Of course it wasn’t our best, but it’ll help us get strong down the road,” Landrus said.
Even after a shaky rotation, Illinois led the way going into the fourth rotation. LeDuc took over the floor with a first place title and a 9.875. Erin Buchanan finished with a season-high 9.825. Howell and Nguyen scored a 9.800. Haylee Roe nailed a season-high with a 9.775.
“Our energy was very high,” said Howell. “We picked each other up the entire time.”
Illinois will next face Minnesota at Huff Hall this weekend.
