The Buckeyes are on fire in 2023. Ohio State has already put up two mid-197s, including a program second-best 197.575 last week at home. Former five-star recruit Payton Harris has become an instrumental all-arounder, but the progression is also due to improved gymnastics from returners, like senior Ella Hodges who nabbed a career-best 9.925 on floor last week.
Road scores for the Buckeyes have trended lower, in the low- to mid-196s. That could be a rankings problem in a few weeks when we switch to NQS, which makes today a very important meet. Meredith Paulicivic’s squad should be looking for a 197.
Illinois has had some strong outings this year, especially at home. It arrives in Huff Hall on the back end of a double-meet weekend that was added to the calendar pretty last minute: Illinois joined the Metroplex lineup after the New York invitational later this month was cancelled. This will be the Illini’s first double-meet weekend of the year, so only time will tell how fatigue will play in tonight. It’s already a weird one, too, since it’s a somewhat late start on a Monday.
The Mias—Takekawa and Townes, who are fresh off of individual national championship appearances—have continued to lead the way this year. Newcomers Tali Joelson, Alea Byrne…
