Illinois’ (10-12, 3-6) 2024-25 season came to a bittersweet end on Friday in Seattle. After defeating UC Davis Thursday afternoon, Illinois scored well in round two of regionals with a 195.475. However, it wasn’t high enough to defeat Auburn and Oklahoma to move on.
While it wasn’t the ending to the season they hoped for, the Illini have much to be proud of. The young team from the beginning of the year grew more confident and unified every day. The ceiling is high for this Illinois squad in the coming years.
“Performing during the postseason is a lot of pressure, and my very young team handled it wonderfully in back-to-back meets,” said head coach Nadalie Walsh in a Fighting Illini Athletics recap. “The valuable experience they have gained this week will mark them and motivate them toward even more greatness next year.”
Going out on a high note
In Illinois’ two days of competition this weekend, it didn’t record a single error on any apparatus. This accomplishment was reflected in its scores, which helped end the season on a high note for both rookies and graduating seniors.
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Freshman Eden King earned two event titles on Thursday and tied her career-high on floor. Additionally, Senior Makayla Green matched her career-high and took home the event title on uneven bars. The senior can leave Illinois with her head held high after that performance.
Competing on back-to-back nights is difficult in any sport. With just over 24 hours of rest, many Illini fought through adversity to score higher on Friday. This is a testament to how experience has benefited the young team.
Vault was one of the strongest events for Illinois this season. Junior Arielle Ward contributed to that with her consistent scores. Although she scored low on Thursday, that didn’t stop her from a comeback on Friday. Ward finished in second place on vault during round two and put the finishing touches on her junior year.
Another veteran who finished their career successfully was fifth-year Amelia Knight. After not competing on beam against UC Davis, Knight finished in sixth place Friday. This tied her career-high in her last beam performance as an Illini.
Much more in store
With seven freshmen on the roster, inexperience played a role in the Illini’s early season losses. Despite this, the group never gave up. They learned from their mistakes and took every opportunity on the mat to help them grow. King gave thanks to the entire Illinois program that supported her this season.
“Coming into college recovering from a major injury, I wasn’t even sure if I would compete at all this season, and lacked a lot of confidence and trust in myself,” King said. “However, through the guidance of the coaching staff and upperclassman, I was able to trust myself every time I saluted and find the joy in competing again.”
Many freshman gymnasts come from club programs that strictly focus on individual success. So, the team aspect of the sport is a new component. Although competing for more than themselves had its pressures, it was also a privilege the athletes appreciated.
“It was so incredible to know how many people were behind us this whole season and be able to wear the Block I for them (Illini fans),” King said.
This season had many obstacles, but the team learned how to fight through hardships and succeed. For her second year, King aims to become a leader and build off the team’s accomplishments from 2025.
“To see everyone grow into confident competitors and compete with such joy made this year one that I will never forget,” King said. “I am so proud of what we accomplished together.”
Saying goodbye
With their third-place finish, Friday was the final time for Illinois’ graduating seniors to compete in an Illinois uniform. The upperclassmen were instrumental in guiding their younger teammates through the ins and outs of NCAA gymnastics while building up their confidence.
Similar to King, senior Micheala Gentry noted the unity and closeness of the 2024-25 squad as making her last season exceedingly special. Even when facing setbacks in the form of inexperience and injuries, the Illini didn’t waver. Instead, they lifted each other up and persevered as a team.
Although Gentry only spent two seasons as an Illini, she learned many significant lessons during her short period in Champaign. Gentry said the team atmosphere and community found at the University is what she will miss most after graduation.
“The time that you have in college is fleeting, so I would tell other athletes to enjoy every moment and enjoy every person because you’ll never experience anything like this again,” Gentry said in response to being asked what advice she has for her younger teammates.
