Illinois (2-4, 0-3) continued its losing streak on Sunday, falling to Maryland (5-1, 2-1) 196.275-195.725. The Illini have lost their last three meets and remain winless against conference opponents.
All-American track
Sophomore Chloe Cho is the undisputed leader on the mat for Illinois. She’s ranked ninth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in the all-around. Cho once again won the all-around title with a score of 39.450, just a tenth under her career best. The sophomore also claimed the uneven bars and floor exercise titles with scores of 9.925 and 9.900, respectively.
Junior Lyden Saltness has also racked up the accolades in her premiere event, the uneven bars. She’s currently ranked 15th in the nation and fifth in the conference. The Illini are ranked 18th in the nation in the event thanks to the one-two punch of Saltness and Cho.
To become a First-Team All-American, a gymnast must finish within the top eight at the conclusion of the regular season. Second-Team honors require a top 16 finish. If both continue performing the way they have, they’d be the 12th and 13th Illini to achieve this feat.
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New upgrades and lineups
One of the highlights came in the first rotation of the meet when freshman Summer Clancy debuted her yurchenko 1 1/2. The extra half twist upgraded her start value from 9.95 to the coveted 10.0, which is the only one currently in the Illini lineup. Despite the form deductions, her clean landing warranted her a career-high score of 9.900.
Freshman Piper Gow made her statement in the uneven bars lineup, debuting with a superb 9.800. These two routines were highlighted by head coach Josh Nilson, demonstrating the importance of the underclassmen despite it still being early in the season.
“We had some great performances tonight, Summer was incredible on vault, Piper was lights out in her debut on bars. And of course, Lyden on bars and Chloe in the all around,” Nilson wrote to Fighting Illini Athletics.
The first two rotations were excellent, while the beam and floor were also business as usual for the Illini, finishing with similar scores of 48.900 and 48.775.
Taking it to the next level
A month into the season, Illinois has yet to score a 196.000, which is an average of 49.000 in every event. However, despite its lower ceiling due to the start values on vault, the routines are there. With all their highest scores compiled together, the team is capable of scoring a 196.600, almost pushing for a 197.000.
Nilson reaffirmed his sentiments from last week on his confidence in the team and the value of how a home atmosphere can impact close meets.
“I am proud of this team. Even though it was a close loss, it was a huge step forward in comparison to our last home outing,” Nilson wrote to Fighting Illini Athletics. “Thank you to the fans for the support. The atmosphere in the arena was incredible today!”
Up next
The Illini will try to snap their Big Ten losing streak as they head to the West Coast to take on the Washington Huskies on Saturday at 5 p.m. CST.
