Illinois Women’s Gymnastics Faces Missouri, UCLA in Weekend Competition

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois women’s gymnastics team (3-5, 1-4 Large Ten) is set for a busy weekend, beginning with a quad meet against No. 8 Missouri, Air Force, and Ball State in Columbia, Missouri, on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. The Illini will then return home to host No. 5 UCLA at State Farm Center on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT.

Last Time Out

Chloe Cho delivered a stellar performance against Nebraska last week, winning titles on all four events and securing the all-around title. Summer Clancy likewise tied for first on the balance beam. Kennedy Brown and Tali Joelson each posted a 9.775 on floor, while Cho achieved a season-best 9.875 on vault and tied her career-best with a 9.950 on bars.

Tiger Watch

Missouri (10-3) defeated No. 25 Kentucky 196.825-196.800 on February 12, earning its first-ever win at Historic Memorial Coliseum. Kimarra Echols tied her career-high on uneven bars with a 9.950, and Elise Tisler posted a team-best 9.900 on vault. Hannah Horton matched her career-best 9.950 on floor.

Ball State Breakdown

Ball State (9-1, 4-0 MAC) defeated Eastern Michigan 195.025-194.125 on February 15, closing out its home schedule. Ashley Szymanski earned a 9.950 on bars for her fifth event title of the year and added a career-high 9.900 on beam. Zoe Middleton captured her fourth straight all-around title with a 38.600.

Air Force Assessment

Air Force posted a 195.750 at the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 15. Junior Maggie Slife captured her sixth all-around title with a program-record 39.650, scoring 9.900 or better on all four events. Sophomore Alyssa Bigler added a 39.225 in the all-around.

Bruin Bulletin

No. 5 UCLA (10-3) defeated No. 9 Michigan 197.725-196.975 on February 14. Two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles earned her fourth consecutive perfect 10 on floor and won all-around for the fifth straight meet with a 39.475. Tiana Sumanasekera scored three 9.900s, and Nola Matthews tied for second place on uneven bars with a career-high 9.925.

Meet Tickets

Tickets are on sale now for Illinois’ home meet against No. 5 UCLA at State Farm Center on February 22 at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on FightingIllini.com. General admission tickets are $15. Kids Club members get two complimentary tickets, and U of I students get in free with their i-Card.

Big Ten Championships

The Illini are preparing to host the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships on March 21-22. All 12 Big Ten women’s gymnastics programs will compete in Champaign, including eight Top-25 programs.