Champaign, Illinois – The Fighting Illini gymnastics teams got a sneak peek at the 2024 Orange and Blue on Friday night at Huff Hall, as the Orange picked up a 13-12 win.
The victory gives Orange its sixth consecutive victory, beating Blue 6-2 since 2015.
Blue started the match hot, leading 4-2 after the first round. Connor McCall (floor), 2023 Big Ten champion, W Miya Takekawa (Beam), the 2023 Big Ten Uneven Bars co-champion, highlighted the Blue Team’s lineup. Abby Mueller (Ray) and a female student Garrett Schooley (The floor) gave the orange team its only points.
The Orange pressed the gas in the second round, tying the match with six points each. Second Team – Big Ten Mia Townes (terrestrial) and new arrivals Brandon dang And Vahi Petrosyan (Pommel Horse) Everyone helped push the Orange to a draw. Takekawa (ground) and veteran Michael Fletcher (pommel horse) The two dots were blue.
The match remained tied 9-9 after the third round, keeping both teams on fire. The governor is still considered the national champion Ashton Anaya (Still Ringing) Sophomore Ariel Ward (Vault) Both gave excellent performances for the Orange in the process Maddie Vitolo (basement) and Ryan vanichtheranont (Still ringing) Shine blue.
In the final round, Takikawa (bars) had another beautiful routine for Blue as Muller (bars) gave her a run for her money on Orange. Preston I (High Bar) debuted at Huff Hall with Blue with Tate Costa (High bar) Bright orange.
After the final round, the two teams ended in a 12-12 draw, and the matter was left to the audience to decide. After enthusiastic cheers, the Orange team won the audience vote.
The Illini women’s team begins its regular season on January 5 in the Super 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada, while the men’s team begins with the annual Windy City Invitational on January 13 in Chicago, Illinois.