University of Illinois
Air Force
Illini Top Air Force, UIC on Military Appreciation Night
March 9, 2018 | Men's Gymnastics
Illini sweep all six event titles
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The third-ranked Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team finished with a team total of 405.700 to take down both No. 11 Air Force (389.050) and UIC (361.300) on Friday night at Huff Hall. The Illini came away with six event titles on the night, including senior Brandon Ngai's 22nd career pommel horse title and junior Alex Diab's 18th career title on still rings. With the titles, both
"I thought we did okay considering the lineup and resting a couple of guys," head coach Justin Spring said. "We have been testing out some new things and some upgrades, which are shaky. A lot of those went well, while some of them didn't, which will give us a better focus on what we need to do to step up next week against No. 1 Oklahoma. That has really been our focus and we tried to treat this week and somewhat of a prep week."
The Illini were on floor first and senior Alex Diab came away with the top score of the meet, posting a 14.550 to come away with the event title. Sophomore Jordan Kovach also had a strong showing on the event, as the Chickasha, Oklahoma, native posted a career-high 13.900. UI was on pommel horse and senior Brandon Ngai finished with a 15.250 to earn his 22nd career title on the event, which ties for third most in school history. The Illini also finished with a season-best 68.800 on the event.
On rings, Diab posted a 14.650 to come away with his 18th career rings title and move into a tie for third-most in program history, while sophomore Danny Graham tied a career high on the event, finishing with a 13.500 to place fourth.
The Orange and Blue had a strong showing on vault, as the team finished with the top three scores on the event. On his first vault run of the season, redshirt senior Chandler Eggleston totaled a 14.350 to come away with the event title, while freshman Max Diab and sophomore Sebastian Quiana posted scored of 14.250 and 14.200, respectively. Quiana's total of 14.200 marks a new career high.
Quiana finished the meet strong, coming away with event titles on both parallel bars and high bar. The sophomore posted a parallel bars total of 14.050 and a high bar score of 13.450 to secure his third and fourth event titles of the season.
Event Titles
Floor - Alex Diab (14.550)
Pommel Horse - Brandon Ngai (15.250)
Rings - Alex Diab (14.650) (8th of the season -- 3rd most in a single season in school history)
Vault - Chandler Eggleston (14.350)
Parallel Bars - Sebastian Quiana (14.050)
High Bar - Sebastian Quiana (13.450)
Up Next
Following this weekend's meet at Huff, the Orange and Blue will play host to three-time defending National Champion Oklahoma. The meet is set for Saturday, March 17, and will begin at 11 a.m. CT.
Follow the Illini
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Men's Gymnastics. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more coverage.
