Heading into the last rotation Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich., the No. 14 Illinois women’s gymnastics team was leading No. 19 Michigan 146.675-145.850. The event that would determine the winner of the dual meet was the beam, where the Illini had recorded their highest overall scores the past two meets.

Feeling confident, sophomore Amber See led off on the event, but had two uncharacteristic falls and scored an 8.65. The next two Illini gymnasts also fell during their routines, forcing the Illini to count a 9.050 into the overall score.

“I think when you have not only one fall but two falls from the leadoff, it is really discomforting, and it is shocking,” junior Alina Weinstein said. “Because you don’t expect them to fall. It puts people in a place of almost a small panic because it is like, ‘Oh my gosh, that is so weird, she wasn’t supposed to fall.’”

Although the Wolverines also had a few falls during their last rotation, they managed to seal the victory against the Illini, 194.225-193.700. While Illinois fell to Michigan, the individual successes were not overshadowed. The Orange and Blue took first in the all-around as well as the floor, beam and bars.

“At the end of the day, you have a job to do,” senior Kelsey Joannides said. “No matter how much people are disappointed with things that have happened before you go, you realize that you have worked out all week to do your one routine.”

Weinstein earned her second career all-around title, scoring a 39.400, which ties the ninth-best mark in school history. She also took the top spot on the bars with a 9.875 and beam with a 9.825. Illini head coach Kim Landrus expects Weinstein to continue being a leader for Illinois.

“Once we recruited Alina, we knew that she had a lot of talent and potential,” Landrus said. “Every single year she continues to mature as an athlete and as a person, and I think her junior year she has taken it one step farther and has really shown what she is capable of.”

Illinois has not won a dual meet against Michigan in almost three decades and were hoping to finally come away with a victory. This was the first loss for Illinois this season.

“It really only makes us stronger, and this won’t be the last time we’ll see Michigan this year,” Weinstein said. “I think if people really get it in their heads that we are a good team and that we can do well, then I think the next time we see Michigan we’ll bring a different game to the plate.”