It was stick after stick at Huff Hall as Illinois (9-12) defeated Northern Illinois (5-13) 194.875-193.475. This was a necessary home victory for the Illini to build their momentum before the Big Ten championships.
After a two-meet losing streak on the road, the home crowd brought the extra energy this squad needed. The yearly I AM Meet featured fans in the stands showing off their “I AM” T-shirts while cheering on the home team.
Although there were setbacks, the Illini didn’t falter. Here are some factors that contributed to Illinois returning to a winning track last weekend.
Cho bounces back
Freshman Chloe Cho has been making waves since she started competing for Illinois. The four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week won one event title after the other and even reached No. 14 in the NCAA all-around rankings earlier in the year.
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However, Cho struggled in the Illini’s last two quad meets on the road. In the past two weeks, she captured only one event title. Cho scored a career-high 9.900 on vault at the Big Four, her highest score on any event on the road recently.
Like the rest of her team, Cho’s scores benefited from a return to Champaign. The freshman secured three event titles on the vault (9.825), bars (9.800) and floor (9.875): the most by any Illini in the contest.
Cho’s all-around talents are needed if Illinois wants to make a postseason run. Her high placements against NIU should be a confidence booster before she competes at Big Tens.
While Cho’s individual scores were high again, the Illini weren’t satisfied with their team score. Head coach Nadalie Walsh said that disappointment lit a fire under her team to improve for Big Tens.
“I think that, if anything, this is exactly what they needed, even though it’s not what they wanted to happen,” Walsh said. “They were motivated before, but they’re even hungrier now.”
Got to work early
Even in its tough stretch, vault remains the strongest event for Illinois. At both the Big Four and Western Michigan Quad, the Illini reigned supreme as vault champions. While Cho won in College Park, Maryland, freshman Eden King took the crown in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with a 9.900.
Starting the final home meet on vault got the Illini off to a strong start. The energy in Huff Hall was at its peak after the home team stuck four consecutive vaults.
“I think that event really showcases their confidence and they showcase their consistency there,” Walsh said. “Starting off vault was the most exciting part of the night.”
The end results reflected the confidence the Illini gymnasts performed with. Illinois took home the top three spots on vault. Cho and sophomore Mareli Muller tied for the event title (9.825), while sophomore Olivia Coppola captured third (9.800).
Adjusted on the fly
With the postseason right around the corner, competing with the team at full strength is necessary. For this to happen, Walsh made small lineup changes to allow others the chance to rest. Fifth-year Amelia Knight and junior Arielle Ward stayed on the sidelines on Sunday.
Without the presence of veterans Knight and Ward, the Illini took the opportunity to step up in their place. Injuries happen, and not everyone can compete each week. Illinoisʼ gymnasts understand that means the entire roster is important.
“Whether it was their first opportunity or it was the third, they got to take the opportunity and show that everybody is valued, everybody is needed,” Walsh said.
During their recent road trip, the Illini struggled to place high on the balance beam. Amidst the dominant performances Sunday, this event remained a dark spot. The Illini had three gymnasts fall off the apparatus during the rotation.
But, the Illini were quick to adjust their mentality heading into the floor exercise. Illinois swept the podium with Cho and King tying for first place (9.875). Senior Emmalise Nock and freshman Kennedy Brown also shared third place (9.850).
“Being able to adjust is what you need to do,” Walsh said. “You need to have that bounce back mentality at all times. I think we have been learning to adjust every week and it’s a learning process.”
Power of ‘I Am’
Using the motto “I Am” wasn’t a one-time occurrence for Illinois. Walsh said she is using the “I Am” message to encourage her team to compete for one another during Big Tens.
“I want them to remember, ‘Yes, you do it (gymnastics) for you,’ but you’re doing it for your university and your program,” Walsh said. “You have every reason to have so much pride in that so I think that helps them to say to themselves, ‘I am Illinois.’”
Walsh is also looking forward to getting her full squad back in the gym practicing before Big Tens. She believes having a healthy roster will help Illinois be better than they have been all year.
The Illini travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, this weekend to compete in the second session of the Big Ten Gymnastics Championships. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
