Champaign, Illinois is set to become a focal point in collegiate gymnastics this weekend as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosts the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships. The two-day event, running March 20-21 at the State Farm Center, will witness the Fighting Illini compete in Session I on Friday evening at 6 p.m. CT, facing off against Nebraska, Rutgers, and Washington. This marks the third time Illinois has hosted the Big Ten Championships, previously welcoming the competition in 2003 and 2009.
The Illini enter the championships following a third-place finish at a recent quad meet featuring No. 13 Minnesota, No. 20 Iowa, and Northern Illinois. The team is riding a wave of momentum, fueled by strong individual performances and a renewed sense of confidence as they prepare to compete on their home floor. The Illinois Women’s Gymnastics program has a rich history within the Big Ten, and this year’s event provides a significant opportunity to showcase the program’s growth and talent.
Sophomore Chloe Cho has emerged as a standout performer for the Fighting Illini, earning All-Big Ten First Team honors for the second consecutive season. Cho’s consistent excellence across all events – bars, beam, floor, and vault – has been instrumental to the team’s success. She secured 19 event titles throughout the regular season, including six all-around victories, and her all-around score of 39.575 at the Big 4 meet at Minnesota is tied for the sixth-best in program history. Eden King was likewise recognized by the conference, earning the Illini’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Preparing for Championship Competition
The Illini concluded their regular season with solid performances across all four apparatuses. On uneven bars, Lyden Saltness achieved a score of 9.900, marking the sixth time this season she has reached that benchmark, finishing fourth overall. Chloe Cho contributed a 9.800, tying for ninth place. On balance beam, Callie Kauffman tied her career-high with a 9.775, while Alea Byrne matched her season-best score of 9.850, leading the team on that event.
The team continued to demonstrate strength on floor exercise, with Eden King tying her career-high of 9.900, securing a share of third place. Ava Banks added a 9.775 to the Illini’s total. Vault saw Summer Clancy lead the way with a 9.800, while Byrne and Olivia Coppola both posted scores of 9.775. These performances demonstrate the depth and versatility of the Illinois roster as they head into the championship meet.
Championship Schedule and Session Breakdown
The Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships are structured into three sessions over two days. Session 1, featuring Illinois, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Washington, will kick off the competition on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. Session 2, consisting of Iowa, Maryland, Ohio State, and Penn State, is scheduled for Saturday at 12 p.m. CT. The final session on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT will showcase Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, and UCLA. The full schedule is available on the Fighting Illini Athletics website.
A History of Hosting and Success
Illinois head coach Josh Nilson expressed his excitement about hosting the championships, stating, “To have the opportunity to host the Big Ten Championships at the University of Illinois is a great honor. We are looking forward to bringing more visibility to our university and the Big Ten as a whole.” He added, “We will host a first-class event for both the fans and visiting teams. Make plans to be in Champaign, Illinois this March.”
The Fighting Illini have a history of success at the Big Ten Championships, including a tie for third place in 2021. In 2025, Chloe Cho was awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Year at the event. The program has finished sixth in the championships in the last two seasons, and the team is aiming to improve upon that result this year. Current assistant coach Abby Mueller was a student-athlete for the Illini in 2021, contributing to the team’s third-place finish with a score of 196.625.
As the Illinois women’s gymnastics team prepares to compete on the biggest stage of the season, the focus remains on executing their routines with precision and confidence. The home-court advantage and the support of the Illini faithful are expected to provide a significant boost as they strive for a strong showing at the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships. Following the championships, the team will await selection for NCAA Regionals, with announcements expected in the days following the Big Ten meet.
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