For the sixth consecutive year, No. 13 Illinois and Michigan State will be competing in a dual meet for the Victory Plank, a trophy created by Michigan State boosters in 2010. The Victory Plank trophy consists of part of a balance beam, representing the beam of the ‘70s when beams were made of wood.

This year’s matchup will be at Huff Hall in Champaign, Ill. on February 20. The Illini have yet to lose the trophy since its creation.

Heading into the meet, Illinois has strong momentum, coming off its best team total of the year. It also has yet to lose a home meet. Last weekend, Illinois triumphed over Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, in a 196.975-196.375 win.

Michigan State, on the other hand, is coming off a double-meet weekend and is heading into another one, so endurance will be key. Michigan State split the weekend with a win over Pittsburgh but a fall to state rival Michigan.

The Illini are currently ranked on all four events, but they excel on bars (No. 7) and beam (No. 11). Individually, sophomore Mary Jane Horth (bars and all-around), junior Giana O’Connor (vault) and senior Sunny Kato (beam) lead the way for the orange and blue. Horth has also scored two, consecutive 9.975’s on bars, nearing perfection.

The Spartans are only ranked on floor, where they are No. 19. Sophomore Elena Lagoski is their top floor performed, as she is No. 24 on the event. A few of the Spartans also excel on bars, sophomore Kira Frederick (No. 13) and junior Lisa Burt (No. 24); both are below Horth, who is at No. 7.

After missing the Spartans’ home opener, senior Alina Cartwright is slowly returning to the lineup. Last week, Cartwright competed on bars at Michigan for the third time this season. The Illini’s lineup, however, has been mostly solid, with the main competitors remaining.

With RQS beginning soon, both programs will look to receive solid scores in their paths to postseason.

Friday’s meet is ‘90s throwback night in Champaign. Fans are encouraged to wear throwback outfits. Live stats will be available for the meet.