Illinois women’s gymnastics loses for first time in 2022, falls to Nebraska in Lincoln

Gymnast+Mia+Takekawa+does+her+performance+for+her+beams+event+against+Michigan+on+Feb+21%2C+2021.+Takekawa+set+career+highs+for+her+events+in+bars+and+vault%2C+but+the+Illini+lose+to+Nebraska+195.375-195.500.

Photo courtesy of David Craan/Illini Athletics

Gymnast Mia Takekawa does her performance for her beams event against Michigan on Feb 21, 2021. Takekawa set career highs for her events in bars and vault, but the Illini lose to Nebraska 195.375-195.500.

By Renato Arteaga, Staff Writer

The women’s squad is currently sitting at 2-1 after picking up its first loss of the season.

The Illini were narrowly defeated by the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 195.500-195.375, on Monday night, which was their second meet in the span of just three days.

After its victory in the team’s dual meet against Penn State on Saturday, Illinois traveled to Lincoln for its third road meet of the season.

This meet marked the first time since her freshman season that junior Mia Takekawa competed as an all-around performer.

Takekawa set career highs on uneven bars (9.90) and the vault (9.850) on her way to earning event titles for both.

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Two other Illinois gymnasts scored above a 9.80 on the vault, including junior Lexi Powe (9.825), who anchored the lineup.

Sophomore Amelia Knight continued her hot streak after scoring a 9.825 on floor and closing the meet on the beam (9.80).

After this meet, the Illini will be traveling to Lexington, Kentucky, to face off against Kentucky, Georgia and Central Michigan in a quad meet on Friday. Illinois will then return to Huff Hall for the first time this year, taking on Minnesota for its home opener.

 

@ArtofRenato

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