Nov. 20, 2003

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois men's gymnastics coach Yoshi Hayasaki, in his 28th season with the Illini, brings a loaded squad into the 2003-04 campaign. Fans can get their first look at the third-ranked Fighting Illini at 5 p.m. this Monday during the team's intrasquad meet at Kenney Gymnasium. Individuals will be competing on all six events and judged for the first time this season.

Illinois returns all but one member from last year's fifth-place NCAA squad, including four All-Americans. Bob Rogers, Peter Shostchuk, Justin Spring and Scott Wetterling all return after earning All-America status last year, and are joined by Big Ten pommel horse champion Ben Newman and top all-arounder Adam Pummer, as well as a host of others who hope to boost the Illini to their first national title since 1989. Monday's meet will give the Illini a chance to fine-tune their routines in front of judges as the season draws near.

The Illinois men will compete in the annual Mixed Pairs meet along with the UI women's squad on Dec. 12 at Huff Hall, and will open up the regular season on Jan. 11 at the Windy City Invite in Chicago. The Orange and Blue host three regular season dual meets (Minnesota 1/25, UIC 2/14 and Temple 2/27) before hosting the Big Ten Championships (Huff Hall, March 19-20) and NCAA Championships (Assembly Hall, April 2-4) to close out the season.