Michigan
Illinois
Michigan Wins 46th Straight Meeting with Illinois
1/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 22, 2016
» The Wolverines set season highs on bars (49.300) and vault (49.250).
» Freshman Olivia Karas is the third NCAA gymnast in 2016 to score 9.95 on vault.
Site: Champaign, Ill. (Huff Hall)
Score: #3 Michigan 196.900, #17 Illinois 195.150
Records: U-M (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten), ILL (1-2, 1-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Jan. 29 -- at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.), 6 p.m. CST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team remained undefeated with a 196.900-195-150 victory over No. 17 Illinois on Friday (Jan. 22) at Huff Hall.
"I was really happy with our performance on three events," said head coach Bev Plocki. "We had some missteps on floor and weren't quite as neat and clean as we normally are. I am ultimately happy with the outcome."
Champaign was overflowing for the Wolverines as U-M put up season highs on each of its first two rotations. Starting on bars for the first time in 2016, the Wolverines used six scores of 9.825 or better to post a 49.300. Michigan followed with a 49.250 on vault, capped by an amazing 9.95 from freshman Olivia Karas.
"The meet went really well, and we had a really good start on bars and vault," said senior captain Lindsay Williams. "We are staying really consistent, which is good. We are improving in some areas and still have room to grow, so that is good."
During touch warmups, Michigan had to make a last-minute change before the start of the meet. Sophomore Nichelle Christopherson was scheduled to compete exhibition but instead started off the night with a 9.825 to match her career best. The performance for Christopherson set the tone.
"I want to give Nichelle some kudos," said Plocki. "The first event out of the gate, she was thrown into that situation and started us out in a awesome way."
Williams followed with a 9.875 for her season best, and junior Nicole Artz posted her third 9.90 of the season. Artz tied with Illinois' Mary Jane Horth for the win in the event. It marks her third 9.90 in four routines this year.
On vault, senior Austin Sheppard and junior Talia Chiarelli each scored a 9.875, but freshman Olivia Karas stole the show with a 9.95. She is just the third NCAA gymnast in 2016 to score a 9.95 on the event. She has won vault in all four meets this season, scoring 9.90 or better in three of those four meets.
Sophomore Lauren Marinez tied with Artz for the beam title. It is the first career win for Marinez as she scored a career-high 9.90. The 9.90 by Artz is her season best.
"Austin and Olivia sticking their vaults was huge," said Plocki. "It is something we have really been working on. We had a couple of our best beam routines of the season tonight. I thought Lauren could have had a 10.0 with her routine. It was that good."
Karas hit the 9.90 mark on floor to finish second in the event. It is her third 9.90 or better on floor this season.
The win was another good test for the Wolverines as they competed in a true road environment for the first time.
Michigan will be back on the road next week as they travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the University of Nebraska on Friday (Jan. 29) at 6 p.m. CST.
OMG!!! Olivia just put up a 9.95 on vault. She is undefeated on the event! #GoBlue https://t.co/LyGIXsy3yv
-- Michigan Gymnastics (@umichwgym) January 23, 2016
