Illinois vs Michigan

Michigan Set to Return to Illinois After Four Years

Michigan Set to Return to Illinois After Four Years

Feb 6, 2014 by Amanda Wijangco
Michigan Set to Return to Illinois After Four Years
This Friday, Feb. 7, the Michigan Wolverines will travel to Champaign, Ill. to take on Big Ten rival Illinois. 

This meet is a potential preview of  the Big Ten Championships as Michigan is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten while Illinois is ranked No. 3. Nationally, Michigan is no. 4 while Illinois is no. 10. 

As two of the top teams in the Big Ten and the nation, this dual meet will definitely be one to look forward to. Here are a few things that make this matchup special and to look forward to.

Freshmen Canadian Elites
Michigan's Talia Chiarelli and Illinois's Emily Lennon are both freshmen this season who were Candian elites and have competed against one another several times in their careers. Both Chiarelli and Lennon are solid competitors on beam and are ranked fourth and 18th respectively. Chiarelli's season average o beam is 9.831 while Lennon's is 9.731.

Click here to hear Lennon's thoughts on competing against Michigan and fellow Candian Chiarelli.

Michigan's Streak
The Wolverines' all-time record for meets against Illinois is 48-9-1. Michigan currently has a winning streak of 38 wins in head-to-head meetings against the Illini. This streak began in Jan. of 1991 before most of the participating gymnasts were even born. 

Return to Champaign
The last time Michigan travelled to Champaign to compete against the Illini was Feb. 27, 2010 which means majority of the Wolverines have never competed in Illinois's Huff Hall and are not used to their equipment. With Illinois finally having the home field advantage, this may be just what they need to end the streak.

Beam Team
Illinois and Michigan are both nationally ranked on beam in the top 10. The Illini are No. 10 while the Wolverines are No. 7. They are also ranked in the top three in the Big Ten on the event. Michigan is No. 2 with Illinois following right behind them at No. 3. Beam is the Illini's best event, and both teams are sure to bring top-notch routines.

Big Ten Freshmen Duo 
The Illini and Wolverines both have a wonderful freshman class including Erin Buchanan (Illinois) and Nicole Artz (Michigan). Both girls have earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolade twice so far this season. Buchanan has excelled on vault and floor and has won event titles on both. Artz has been exemplary on bars, beam, and floor and has won titles on each.


Erin Buchanan leaps on floor during the Illini's home opener against Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Centenary. (Fighting Illini Gymnastics)

"Home Sweet Huff"
This will be Illinois's second consecutive home meet which will occur only once this season. Competing at home is always an advantage, and it will certainly give the Illini an advantage.

Follow more coverage of Friday's Michigan at Illinois Big Ten match-up right here on Gymnastike.

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