Most Recent Decades Feature Record-Breaking Illini Women’s Athletes

By Mike Pearson

FightingIllini.com

Four recently inducted Hall of Famers and a bevy of other women’s sports stars performed at the University of Illinois during the second decade of the new millennium, setting standards of excellence that current Illini are striving to reach today.

During this period, team success was prominent especially for the 2011 Fighting Illini volleyball national title runner-up, the 2011 Illinois soccer Big Ten Champions, the 2013 Fighting Illini track and field team that took home the conference indoor title, and the 2018 Illinois volleyball Final Four team.  

Individual women’s stars have also been plenty since 2010 including national champions in track and field and cross country for Angela Bizzarri and Ashley Spencer, Olympic gold medal-winning volleyball performances by Jordan Poulter and Michelle Bartsch, program first perfects 10s in women’s gymnastics for Alina Weinstein and Mia Takekawa, and many more program record-setting performances.

Here is a chronological look at several of the most memorable Illini women’s moments from 2010-to present:

Feb. 28, 2010: The Big Ten 5,000-meters title was won by UI’s Angela Bizzarri. A day later, she was named Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Mar. 13, 2010: Competing in the 3,000-meter run, UI’s Angela Bizzarri won the title at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Mar. 28, 2010: Illini women’s basketball won its third NIT game in six days, defeating Missouri State, 65-53.

Apr. 8, 2010: After setting Illini career records for points and rebounds, Jenna Smith became the 14^th overall pick in the WNBA Draft, chosen by the Washington Mystics.

Apr. 22, 2010: Coach Gary Winckler and Perdita Felicien were inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame.

May 4, 2010: Angela Bizzarri named women’s Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor winner.

May 15, 2010:  With a 10-0 victory over Minnesota in the regular-season finale, Illini softball extended its Big Ten winning streak to 13. Illinois went on to split four games in the NCAA Regional tournament and finish with a 45-8 record.

May 19, 2010: Distance runner Angela Bizzarri was named Big Ten Track Athlete of the Year. She won conference titles at 3,000 and 5,000 meters at the conference championship meet.

May 19, 2010: Illini’s Terri Sullivan was named Big Ten’s Softball Coach of the Year.

Sept. 24,…