For the third straight week, No. 19 Illinois failed to top their meet on Saturday, this time to the regular-season Big Ten champions, No. 17 Iowa, 196.450 to 196.225.

In the grand scheme of things, however, this loss doesn’t mean much. They got their fourth-highest score of the season, so their national qualifying score won’t take a hit. The NQS is formulated by disregarding the top score for a team and then averaging the remaining five highest scores of the season.

The Illini won two out of four events as a team: bars and beam. But, they only won one of the events individually: bars.

On bars, Illinois won 49.075-48.850. They were led by event title winner sophomore Olivia O’Donnell, who scored a 9.900, tying her career high.

On beam, Illinois won 49.175-49.125. Sophomore Mia Takekawa led the way with a 9.900 but fell short to Iowa freshman Adeline Kenlin, who had a 9.925.

On vault, Illinois lost 49.050-48.850. Sophomore Mia Townes led the way with a 9.825, but she ultimately finished behind Iowa sophomore JerQuavia Henderson, who won the event title with a 9.875. Freshman Abby Mueller also tied her career high with a 9.775.

On floor, Illinois lost 49.425-49.125. They were led by junior Shaylah Scott who finished with a 9.850. Iowa’s Henderson won this event title as well, tying with her teammate, senior Clair Kaji, with a 9.925.

For the fourth time this season, senior Nicole Biondi competed in the all-around competition. This week she beat Henderson 39.325-38.600. On beam, she tied her career high of 9.875.

Next, the Illini come back home for their last meet of the season at Huff against No. 5 Minnesota. This will be their last test before the Big Ten Championships. Seniors Biondi, Rachel Borden, Kasey Meeks, Kylie Noonan, Tessa Philips and Jaylen Spence will be honored for Senior Night at the meet.

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