Aug. 20, 2004

Champaign, Ill. - Four University of Illinois Gymnasts were named 2004 All-American Scholar-Athletes by the College Gymnastics Association. As a team, the Illini recorded a 2.856 GPA, ranking twelfth among men's collegiate gymnastics programs for 2004. Senior Erik Garnett (Home School, Bellaire, Texas) earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in chemistry, with fellow senior Bob Rogers (Nathan Hale HS, West Allis, Wis.) close behind with a 3.977 in kinesiology/pre-med. Another kinesiology/pre-med major, sophomore Anthony Russo (Roselle Catholic HS, Linden, N.J.), earned a 3.711 while junior Ben Newman (George Washington HS, Denver, Colo.) rounded out the group of Illini scholar gymnasts with a 3.635 in finance. The academic honor was the third for Garnett, Rogers, and Newman and the second for Russo Since the awards inception in 1990, Illinois gymnasts have boasted an impressive 47 All-American Scholar-Athletes, including 14 in the last three years (four this year, six in 2002 and four in 2001).