Despite major mistakes on three events, the Illinois Fighting Illini still came out on top to win the Victory Plank against the Michigan State Spartans. The Illini won the close meet by .175, 196.500-196.325.

The close meet began right away as Illinois scored a 49.050 on vault while Michigan State scored a 49.025 on bars.


Illini sophomore Erin Buchanan warms up her Yurchenko full during touch warmups.

Although Illinois had a vault score of 8.300, it fortunately was able to drop it due to the first five gymnasts’ solid scores. Sophomore Erin Buchanan led the way for Illinois with a Yurchenko full that scored a 9.875. It was high enough to win the vault title for the evening.

On bars, Michigan State had a slow start. After two less-than-ideal scores, the remainder of its lineup picked up the pace. Junior Lisa Burt anchored and was near perfect with a 9.925. Surprisingly, no Illini topped or tied Burt’s score -- not even Illini sophomore Mary Jane Horth who scored 9.975 in her previous two meets.

In the second rotation, the Spartans matched their first rotation score of a 49.025 while the Illini improved with a 49.100.


Michigan State head coach Kathie Klages gives her team a pep talk before competing on bars.

The Spartans had solid vault scores, ranging from 9.700 to 9.850. On bars, the Illini failed to have one score of 9.900 for the first time in three weeks and had less stuck landings, but their consistent performances on the event continued the bars success they’ve had since the start of the season. At the end of the rotation, the Illini held the close lead, 98.150-98.050.

The third rotation was a turning point for Michigan State. It set a season high on floor of 49.400. Burt and sophomore Elena Lagoski highlighted the rotation with 9.900s. However, for the Illini, the rotation brought another major mistake.


Before the meet, Sunny Kato practices her sheep jump on beam.

Illinois began the rotation with good score, but in the middle of the rotation, Buchanan fell on her beat jump to three-quarter straddle jump connection. Illinois’ beam lineup showed their resiliency as the final competitors of the rotation were unfazed and hit their routines. Senior Sunny Kato's anchor routine of 9.900 led the rotation for Illinois.

Although it did not have to count the fall, Illinois’ 49.250 was no match for Michigan State’s 49.400 on floor, and its lead was lost. Michigan State headed into the final rotation with the slight edge, 147.450-147.400.


Head coach Kim Landrus and assistant coach Chad Wiest huddle up with the Illini floor lineup before the final rotation begins.

The Spartans set another season-high on beam with a 48.875, but the Illini’s 49.100 on floor resulted in the Illini victory. Illini junior Giana O’Connor ended the competition with a 9.900, tying Burt and Lagoski for the event title.

With the win, Illinois remains undefeated at home and has yet to surrender the rivalry trophy, the Victory Plank.

Next week, the Illini host the reigning champion Oklahoma Sooners. The Spartans compete again on Sunday, Feb. 22 at UIC.

 

Team Standing  (Top)

Place	Team	Score
1	University of Illinois	196.500
2	Michigan State	196.325

 

University of Illinois  (Top)
Head Coach:  Kim Landrus

Gymnast	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	AllArr
Erin Buchanan	9.875	9.700	9.100	9.850	38.525
Kelsi Eberly				9.800
Heather Foley	9.775		9.825	9.750
Jordyn Givens	8.300
Mary Jane Horth	9.800	9.825	9.825	9.150	38.600
Sunny Kato		9.825	9.900
Sarah Lyons	9.775	9.775
Jordan Naleway		9.825	9.825	9.800
Giana O'Connor	9.825	9.850	9.875	9.900	39.450
Team Totals	49.050	49.100	49.250	49.100	196.500

 

Michigan State  (Top)
Head Coach:  Kathie Klages

Gymnast	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	AllArr
Lisa Burt	9.800	9.925	9.750	9.900	39.375
Alina Cartwright		9.875	9.800
Nicola Deans	9.850	9.850	9.725	9.800	39.225
Kira Frederick				9.875
Anna Gamelo	9.775	9.625		9.850
Brittany Holmes		9.500	9.750
Victoria Huehn	9.825		9.775
Elena Lagoski	9.775			9.900
Holly Ryan			9.800	9.875
Mackenzie Smith	9.700	9.750
Team Totals	49.025	49.025	48.875	49.400	196.325

 

Vault Results  (Top)

Place	Gymnast	Team	Score
1	Erin Buchanan	University of Illinois	9.875
2	Nicola Deans	Michigan State	9.850
3	Giana O'Connor	University of Illinois	9.825
3	Victoria Huehn	Michigan State	9.825
5	Mary Jane Horth	University of Illinois	9.800
5	Lisa Burt	Michigan State	9.800
7	Heather Foley	University of Illinois	9.775
7	Sarah Lyons	University of Illinois	9.775
7	Elena Lagoski	Michigan State	9.775
7	Anna Gamelo	Michigan State	9.775
11	Mackenzie Smith	Michigan State	9.700
12	Jordyn Givens	University of Illinois	8.300

 

Uneven Parallel Bars Results  (Top)

Place	Gymnast	Team	Score
1	Lisa Burt	Michigan State	9.925
2	Alina Cartwright	Michigan State	9.875
3	Giana O'Connor	University of Illinois	9.850
3	Nicola Deans	Michigan State	9.850
5	Jordan Naleway	University of Illinois	9.825
5	Sunny Kato	University of Illinois	9.825
5	Mary Jane Horth	University of Illinois	9.825
8	Sarah Lyons	University of Illinois	9.775
9	Mackenzie Smith	Michigan State	9.750
10	Erin Buchanan	University of Illinois	9.700
11	Anna Gamelo	Michigan State	9.625
12	Brittany Holmes	Michigan State	9.500

 

Balance Beam Results  (Top)

Place	Gymnast	Team	Score
1	Sunny Kato	University of Illinois	9.900
2	Giana O'Connor	University of Illinois	9.875
3	Jordan Naleway	University of Illinois	9.825
3	Heather Foley	University of Illinois	9.825
3	Mary Jane Horth	University of Illinois	9.825
6	Holly Ryan	Michigan State	9.800
6	Alina Cartwright	Michigan State	9.800
8	Victoria Huehn	Michigan State	9.775
9	Brittany Holmes	Michigan State	9.750
9	Lisa Burt	Michigan State	9.750
11	Nicola Deans	Michigan State	9.725
12	Erin Buchanan	University of Illinois	9.100

 

Floor Exercise Results  (Top)

Place	Gymnast	Team	Score
1	Giana O'Connor	University of Illinois	9.900
1	Lisa Burt	Michigan State	9.900
1	Elena Lagoski	Michigan State	9.900
4	Holly Ryan	Michigan State	9.875
4	Kira Frederick	Michigan State	9.875
6	Erin Buchanan	University of Illinois	9.850
6	Anna Gamelo	Michigan State	9.850
8	Kelsi Eberly	University of Illinois	9.800
8	Jordan Naleway	University of Illinois	9.800
8	Nicola Deans	Michigan State	9.800
11	Heather Foley	University of Illinois	9.750
12	Mary Jane Horth	University of Illinois	9.150

 

All Around Results  (Top)

Place	Gymnast	Team	Score
1	Giana O'Connor	University of Illinois	39.450
2	Lisa Burt	Michigan State	39.375
3	Nicola Deans	Michigan State	39.225
4	Mary Jane Horth	University of Illinois	38.600
5	Erin Buchanan	University of Illinois	38.525