Feb. 13, 2002

PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Fighting Illini sophomore Bob Rogers was named the Big Ten Men's Gymnast of the Week for his outstanding performances at Illinois-Chicago on Sunday. He is the first Illinois men's gymnast to earn conference accolades this season.

The West Allis, Wis.-native took the individual titles on both the floor exercise and high bar on Sunday at UIC. Rogers tied his career-high on the floor, scoring a 9.050. He nailed his high bar routine turning in the highest score in the country so far this season, a 9.550. Rogers currently ranks second in the nation on the apparatus with a season average score of 9.400. Rogers also competed in the pommel horse on Sunday, scoring an 8.650 to finish fourth.

"Rogers' floor and high bar routines were the best he's ever done," head coach Yoshi Hayasaki said. "He put together all of the difficult elements of his high bar routine. He is getting better and showing what he is capable of doing. He is a talented gymnast, and he has been one of our key performers this season."

Coach Hayasaki and the second-ranked Illini travel to No. 7 Ohio State on Friday where they will also go up against No. 1 Oklahoma in one of the toughest competitions of the season so far.