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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Jonah Perez

Senior Nicole Biondi runs through a tunnel of teammates before performing on the bars at a meet against Iowa on Jan. 31. The Illinois women's gymnastics failed to advance to NCAA Regionals in Athens, Georgia.

Illinois comes up short, fails to advance in NCAA Regionals

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Apr 2, 2021
Senior Nicole Biondi performs her beam routine during the meet against Penn State on Jan. 31. The women’s gymnastics team will travel to Georgia for the NCAA Regionals starting Thursday.

No. 16 Illinois looks forward to NCAA Regionals in Georgia

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Apr 1, 2021
Junior Mallory Mizuki poses on the high beam during the meet against Iowa on Jan. 31. Mizuki continues to train and improve both mentally and physically.

Mizuki uses injury issues as motivation, develops valuable leadership skills while sidelined

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 29, 2021
Senior Kylie Noonan celebrates during the Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championships on Saturday. The Fighting Illini tied with Iowa for third place and finished with 196.625 points.

Illinois finish tied for third with Iowa in conference championship

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 20, 2021
Mia Townes celebrates after coming off of the vault on Feb. 07 at Huff Hall. The Illinois women’s gymnastics team is hopeful that they can win their first Big Ten championship this season.

Illinois looks to win women’s gymnastics Big Ten championship

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 20, 2021
The Illinois women’s gymnastics team poses for a photo with a scoreboard showcasing their new all-around record. The team is using program records as motivation to compete to the best of their ability.

Illini of the Week: Women’s gymnastics team uses program record as momentum, motivation

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 18, 2021
Sophomore Mia Townes celebrates after competing in an event during the meet against Minnesota at Huff Hall on March 13. Townes is one of four Illini to earn Big Ten All-Conference honors this season.

Four Illini earn Big Ten All-Conference honors

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 17, 2021
The Illinois women's team poses with its final score at Huff Hall on March 13. The Illini beat the Golden Gophers on Senior Night, and the score was the highest in program history.

Illinois breaks records on Senior Night in last meet of regular season

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 13, 2021
Senior Nicole Biondi performs her floor routine during the meet against Michigan on Feb. 21. The Illinois women's gymnastics team will compete against Minnesota tonight.

Illinois returns to Huff Hall for final home meet of season

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 13, 2021
The Illinois women's gymnastics team huddles up before the meet against Michigan on Feb. 21. The team lost to Iowa on Sunday.

Illinois loses to regular season Big Ten champion Iowa

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 7, 2021
Junior Shaylah Scott competes during the meet against Michigan on Feb. 21. The Illini will face Iowa today.

Illini travel to Iowa City for rematch against Hawkeyes

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 6, 2021
Sophomore Mia Takekawa poses after finishing a routine during the meet against Michigan on Sunday. Illinois lost the meet 197.375-196.650.

Illini reach season best score, fall to No. 8 Michigan

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 22, 2021
Junior Shaylah Scott performs her floor exercise routine during the meet against Iowa on Jan. 31. The Illini will face Michigan at Huff Hall today.

Illinois finally hosts Michigan after two-week postponement

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 21, 2021
Senior Nicole Biondi performs her uneven bars routine during the meet against Iowa on Jan. 31.

Illini sweep events on the road, knock off Penn State

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 13, 2021
Sophomore Mia Takekawa competes in the vault event during the meet against Iowa on Jan. 31. The Illini are set to face off against Penn State tomorrow in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Illini look to bounce back against Nittany Lions

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 12, 2021
Sophomore Mia Takekawa performs her balance beam routine during the tri-meet against Michigan State and Ohio State. The Illini placed second.

Illinois splits tri-meet with Ohio State, Michigan State

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 8, 2021
Junior all-around gymnast Shaylah Scott performs a floor routine at Huff Hall in a competition against Iowa on Jan. 31. Scott was recently named team captain for her contributions to the team.

Scott earns respect from coaches, teammates as captain

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 8, 2021
Junior Shaylah Scott performs her floor routine during competition. The Illinois women's gymnastics team will travel to Columbus, Ohio, for a tri-meet matchup against Ohio State and Michigan State this Sunday.

Illinois looks to bounce back in Columbus for tri-meet with Ohio State, Michigan State

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 6, 2021
Sophomore Mia Townes prepares to compete during the meet against Iowa on Sunday.

Illinois falls to Iowa at Huff Hall for first loss of season

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 31, 2021
Sophomore Mia Townes celebrates after completing a routine during competition. The Illinois women's gymnastics team will host their first home meet tomorrow at Huff Hall against Iowa.

Illini to host Hawkeyes in first home meet of season

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 30, 2021
Junior Shaylah Scott performs her floor routine during the tri-meet against Rutgers and Maryland on Saturday.

Illini leave second road trip of season undefeated, beating Maryland, Rutgers

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 23, 2021
Junior Shaylah Scott poses as she finishes a routine during practice.

Illini carry momentum into east coast tri-meet against Rutgers, Maryland

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 23, 2021
Mia Takekawa poses during a meet against Central Michigan on March 1.

No. 22 Illinois women’s gymnastics opens season with win at Nebraska

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 15, 2021
Sophomore Mia Takekawa performs her balance beam routine during competition.

Illini excited for Lincoln trip after spring season postponement

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 14, 2021
Sophomore Mia Takekawa practices her balance beam routine during practice on Dec. 9. The Illinois women's gymnastics teams will begin competing on Jan. 15.

Illini conference-only schedule revealed

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 4, 2021
Freshman Amelia Knight poses for a headshot. Knight is the only international student on the women's gymnastics team currently.

Amelia Knight settles in with Illini as lone international women’s gymnast

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Dec 17, 2020
New women’s gymnastics assistant coach Kelsea Kocan poses for a headshot. Kocan joined the team after coaching at the local Champaign Gymnastics Academy.

Kelsea Kocan provides empathy, different dimension for Illini

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Nov 19, 2020
Former Illinois gymnast Grace Gough poses for a promotional photo during her gymnastics career. Gough retired from the sport to preserve her mental and physical health.

Student manager finds new role with team after retiring from gymnastics

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Oct 26, 2020
Sophomore Mia Townes competes in the floor routine event during the meet against Penn State on Feb. 7. After five surgeries in 2019, Townes is expected to return as a leader.

Townes looks for breakout sophomore season

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Oct 12, 2020
Senior Nicole Biondi competes in the floor routine during the meet against Penn State on Feb. 2 at Huff Hall. The Illinois women’s gymnastics team recenly resumed practice after an extended offseason.

Illini return to practice after long offseason

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Sep 21, 2020
Senior Giovanni Tadiotto watches his ball fly through the air after following through on a stroke during competition.

Illinois men’s golf welcomes two newcomers for 2020-2021 season

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jul 13, 2020
An Illinois golf player watches his ball fly through the air during the match against Bradley at Stone Creek Golf Course on April 14, 2018.

Illinois Athletics receives Stone Creek Golf Club from The Atkins Group

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jul 1, 2020
PGA Tour golfer Bryson DeChambeau (right) walks up the 18th fairway past the leaderboard showing him at 10-under during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Friday, June 12, 2020. He finished the day tied for second with Jordan Spieth at 10-under. The Challenge is the first tour event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Collegiate golf may look at PGA Tour for guidance

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jun 20, 2020
Senior Giovanni Tadiotto watches his ball fly through the air after following through on a stroke during competition.

International golfers find success with Illini, Coach Small

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jun 8, 2020
Freshman Jerry Ji watches the arc of his ball after taking a swing during competition.

Big Ten honors four Illini men’s golfers in All-Big Ten selections

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • May 21, 2020
Former Illinois Golfer Thomas Pieters putts the ball. Pieters won the national championship in his 2011-2012 season.

Team of the century: 2012-2013 Illini men’s golf make program history

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • May 7, 2020
Senior Michael Feagles observes as his ball soars through the air during the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational on Sept. 20, 2019.

Feagles’ family background inspires his sport

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Apr 22, 2020
Senior Giovanni Tadiotto drives a ball out of the sand trap. Tadiotto’s consistent performance earned him Big Ten Player of the Week on Feb. 26.

Tadiotto returns, uses extra year of eligibility

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Apr 17, 2020
Junior Michael Feagles watches his ball soar through the air after following through on a swing during the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational on Sept. 16, 2016.

Feagles opts for fifth year, returns to Illini

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Apr 9, 2020
Senior Michael Feagles observes as his ball soars through the air during the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational on Sept. 20, 2019.

Illini of the season: Tadiotto, Feagles find success senior year

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Apr 1, 2020
Senior Giovanni Tadiotto drives a ball out of the sand trap. Tadiotto’s consistent performance earned him Big Ten Player of the Week on Feb. 26.

Men’s golf notebook: Illini take three-week hiatus before Louisiana Classics

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Mar 5, 2020
Illinois’s head coach Mike Small tees off from the first hole during a team practice at the Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana on April 18, 2012.

Illinois sails to a fourth-place finish in Hawaii

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Feb 27, 2020
Men's golf team travels to Florida for Tinervin Cup

Men’s golf team travels to Florida for Tinervin Cup

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Jan 30, 2020
Senior Michael Feagles follows the ball after a drive. Feagles will look to build on his success from last season and continue the program’s success.

Illini hope to bounce back at Cypress Point Classic

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Oct 25, 2019
Senior Bryan Baumgarten watches his approach shot at the Fighting Illini Invitational.

Illini hope to bounce back at Florida invitational

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Oct 18, 2019
Senior Bryan Baumgarten watches his approach shot at the Fighting Illini Invitational.

Illinois finishes ninth at Maui Jim, fifth in Fighting Illini Invitational

By Rich Eberwein and Jonah Perez • Oct 3, 2019
The women’s cross country team kicks off its fall campaign on Friday. Both the women’s and men’s teams dominated the Illini Open.

Men’s golf preseason preview

By Jonah Perez, Staff Writer • Sep 3, 2019

Men’s XC season ends with hope for future meets

By Jonah Pérez, Staff Writer • Nov 27, 2018

Club team continues to expand, strives to compete

By Jonah Pérez, Staff Writer • Oct 29, 2018

Men’s Cross Country Big Ten preview

By Jonah Pérez, Staff Writer • Oct 26, 2018

Illinois men’s cross country takes third at Bradley Pink Classic

By Jonah Pérez, Staff Writer • Oct 16, 2018

Cross country to compete at Bradley this weekend

By Jonah Pérez, Staff Writer • Oct 11, 2018

Men’s cross country takes 29th at Nuttycombe

By Jonah Pérez, Contributing Writer • Oct 3, 2018