UIC qualified for the USAG National team finals with a score of 195.675 in the semifinal session Friday evening.

Trailing the host Bridgeport by 0.375 entering the final rotation, the Flames scored 49.125 on bars and made up three tenths thanks to strong performances by Toni Alicke, Serena Baker, Kayla Baddeley, and Mikailla Northern.  Bridgeport finished first in the session.  UIC will be the second seed in the final, with Air Force and Lindenwood rounding out the field from Session 1.

Qualification for the individual finals was determined based on the top five scores on each apparatus.  Baddeley qualified on vault, Alicke and Baker made the cut on bars, Baddeley advanced on beam, and Alisa Sheremeta made it out of a very competitive floor group.  They will compete on Sunday for the event titles.

The all-around national champion was crowned Friday based on the highest score across both sessions.  Baddeley finished second in the country with an all-around total of 39.175.

Rotation 1 – Beam

• Kayla Baddeley paced the Flames with a 9.800 on the first rotation.  She tied for fifth place in the session.
• A consistent beam squad got three 9.750s, from Dani Maciel, Miki Northern, and Alisa Sheremeta.  The trio was in the top 10.
• Riley Mahoney was not far behind her teammates with a 9.725.

Rotation 2 – Floor

• Sheremeta's beautiful performance earned her a score of 9.900.  It was her fourth such score this season.  She was second in the session by 0.025 behind MIC rival Erin Alderman of Texas Woman's.
• Ashley Albrecht came up big with a 9.800.
• Northern scored 9.775 after a judges' conference.  Toni Alicke and Baddeley each scored 9.750.

Rotation 3 – Vault

• Baddeley had yet another team high score, as she posted a 9.825 and tied for first place.
• Northern's very solid vault was worth 9.800.  It was the second highest score of the session, but landed her in sixth place behind a five-way tie.
• A trio of Flames – Allison Broad, Mahoney, and Maddie Nowak – each scored 9.725.

Rotation 4 – Bars

• Toni Alicke tied her career high, scoring 9.900.  That was good for second place.
• Serena Baker scored 9.875 to match her season high, set twice previously, and finish fourth.
• Northern and Baddeley each scored 9.800, tying for sixth place, to help the bars squad finish strong.

All-Around

• Baddeley totaled 39.175, good for second in the session and tied for second place overall.
• Northern's total was 39.125.  She finished right behind Baddeley.
• Darian Burns of Seattle Pacific won the all-around championship with a score of 39.225.

Up Next

• The Flames will compete in the team finals on Saturday night.
• UIC had the second highest score of the four qualifying teams.
• The national finals will begin at 6:00 pm.