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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

Laura Mendes

Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter

Hi! My name is Laura Mendes, and I’m a junior majoring in communications and minoring in business and public relations. This is my second year as a part of The Daily Illini, and I have covered sports such as football, men’s and women’s gymnastics and women’s swim and dive. Now I am lucky to be one of the Senior Sports Reporters for the Sports section! Outside of The DI, I love to listen to music, drink coffee and spend time with my friends!

Freshman guard Destiny Jackson eyes down their teammate before passing the basketball during the Illinois vs. Illinois State game on Nov 9.

Illinois takes charge of Murray State

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Nov 19, 2025
Freshman guard Destiny Jackson dribbles towards Illinois State's defense on Nov. 9 at the State Farm Center. The Illini beat the Redbirds 75-65.

Illini head west to face Beavers

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Nov 14, 2025
The Illini huddle up on the court during their game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Feb. 16.

Column | Illini vs. Redbirds: Players to watch

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Nov 9, 2025
Redshirt sophomore center Lety Vasconcelos (No. 35), junior guard Gretchen Dolan (No. 4) and sophomore forward Berry Wallace (No. 23) on the court during Illinois’ matchup against SEMO on Tuesday.

Illini win by 24 in season opener against Redhawks

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Nov 5, 2025
Wide receiver Pat Bryant leaps into the air and reaches for the sky as a pass comes hurling towards him over the opposing Purdue player's head in the Illinois v Purdue football game on Oct. 12, 2024 in Memorial Stadium.

Make way for the No. 12 Illini

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Aug 14, 2025
Quarterback Luke Altmyer winds up for a big throw as players clash around him during the Illinois v Purdue football game on Oct. 12, 2024 in Memorial Stadium.

On the lookout

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Aug 6, 2025
Outside linebacker Gabe Jacas runs onto the field before the Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois football game on Aug. 29, 2024.

Honor Roll

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Aug 4, 2025
DI Voices | The distance is worth every mile

DI Voices | The distance is worth every mile

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 17, 2025
The Fighting Illini starters take the floor and huddle before tip-off on Jan. 8, 2024.

Music City hoops

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 16, 2025
Bostic staying in the family

Bostic staying in the family

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 15, 2025
Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema  talks to a referee at a game against Penn State on September 16, 2023.

Watch out for Bielema

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 11, 2025
State Farm Center buzzes with energy as passionate fans rally behind the Illini during the second half of their game against Maryland on Jan. 23, 2025.

Class in session | Part 2

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 9, 2025
A crowd of Fighting Illini fans make their way into Memorial Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024.

Class in session | Part 1

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 8, 2025
Best newcomers to Illinois

Best newcomers to Illinois

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jul 7, 2025
Kasparas Jakuçionis, Chloe Cho and Melissa Wullschleger all competed for Illinois as freshman. Their successful careers in basketball, gymnastics and track were honored by the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics on Monday.

Illini freshmen of the year

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jun 26, 2025
Freshman Melissa Wullschleger at the Fighting Illini Twilight, the track and field outdoor season opening meet on April 26.

Wullschleger wins Big Ten Freshman of the Year

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jun 20, 2025
Will Riley at the 2025 NBA combine on May 14.

Column | Fashion in the NBA

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Jun 2, 2025
Junior running back Josh McCray presents the Cheez-It championship belt to his teammates.

Josh McCray to enter transfer portal

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Apr 15, 2025
Connor McCool, assistant coach of the Illinois men’s gymnastics team, throws up his hands to egg on the cheering crowd after fifth-year Will Hauke sticks his dismount on the parallel bars on March 1. Illinois won the meet against Army and Greenville with a final score of 316.700.

Q&A | McCool goes from athlete to coach

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Apr 14, 2025
Freshman Matthew Vu Nguyen at the men's gymnastics Senior Day meet on March 8. Illinois lost the meet to Penn State 312.550-321.750.

Season in retrospect

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Mar 25, 2025
Senior Emmalise Nock performs her beam routine during a meet against Ohio State on Feb. 7. Illinois upset Ohio State with a team score of 196.150-195.475.

There’s no ‘I’ in team

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Mar 15, 2025
Assistant coach Connor McCool speaks to freshman Matthew Vu Nguyen before he competes on the parallel bars at a meet on March 1. Illinois won the meet against Army and Greenville with a final score of 316.700.

Opinion | What to keep, improve

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Mar 12, 2025
Ellerbrock to the block 

Ellerbrock to the block 

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Mar 7, 2025
Sophomore Olivia Coppola hugs head coach Nadalie Walsh after her beam routine during a meet against Ohio State on Feb. 7. Illinois pulled the upset with a team score of 196.150-195.475.

Breaking down scoring after Senior Day

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Feb 24, 2025
AI brings changes to scouting

AI brings changes to scouting

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Dec 17, 2024
Redshirt Freshman Declan Duley is filled with emotion as he lifts the cannon after the Illinois v Purdue game on Oct. 12.

The Cannon comes home to Champaign

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Oct 12, 2024