Jan. 17, 2015 Final Stats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Securing the sixth-best team balance beam score in program history with a 48.950, Rutgers gymnastics concluded its season-opening road trip with a 192.775 score Saturday inside Huff Hall on the campus of Illinois. The ninth-ranked Fighting Illini took first in the meet with a 196.175.
MEET RESULTS 
"We showed a lot of improvement today, but have to keep working to get better each time out," fourth-year head coach Louis Levine said. "The performances on vault and beam were what we were looking for early in the season. Those events are carrying us now, as we have to catch up on the other two."
RU performed best in the fourth rotation on balance beam, with three Scarlet Knights scoring a 9.800 or higher in the event. Rutgers was led by a team-best 9.850 from junior Jenna Williams (Bordentown, N.J.), while classmate Claudia Salinas (Allendale, N.J.) anchored with a 9.825. Senior Anastasia Halbig (Schwenksville, Pa.) produced a 9.800, senior Luisa Leal (Cali, Colombia) added a 9.775 and freshman Elizabeth Groden (Abbottstown, Pa.) landed a career-best 9.700 score.
"It was an outstanding beam lineup today," Levine said. "It was great to see us finish the meet strong."
Williams also led Rutgers in its opening rotation on uneven bars with a 9.775. Halbig produced a 9.725 and senior Emma Hoffman (Union, N.J) scored a 9.700. RU landed all six routines in the event to finish with a 47.925 total.
Rutgers recorded a 48.775 on vault, with Leal producing the team's highest individual total of 9.825 during the second rotation. Junior Nicolette Wilson (Toms River, N.J.) and freshman Sahara Gipson (Oakland, N.J.) each contributed a 9.775, with sophomore April Baker (Andover, Mass.) adding a 9.725 in the event.
Baker continued her strong night for Rutgers in its third event on floor exercise, posting a 9.800. Sophomore Charly Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) also landed a 9.750 to help the Scarlet Knights secure a 47.125 in the event.
For the second time in her career, Baker competed all-around for RU and put up a 38.300.
Rutgers will next compete at home for the first time this season when it hosts Nebraska, Brockport and Southern Connecticut Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Livingston Gym.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's gymnastics, follow the program on Twitter (@RUGymnastics), Facebook and Instagram.
