Mixed Pairs Scores (PDF)
Dec. 10, 2004
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's and women's gymnastics teams were in action at Huff Hall tonight for the 19th annual Illinois Mixed Pairs exhibition. Members from each squad paired up and formed teams to compete against each other. Each team performed on four events and the top three scores were used to determine the winning pair.
In a special twist this year, the Orange and Blue were judged by their fellow Illinois student-athletes from various teams such as wrestling, soccer, golf, volleyball and track. Senior Sara Dumich and junior Adam Pummer both received a perfect 10 for their performances on the vault and floor exercise, respectively.
Senior Ben Newman and sophomore Cara Pomeroy won the meet with a score of 29.88. The duo delivered solid routines, netting scores of 9.95 and above. Newman, the 2004 Big Ten pommel horse champion, received a 9.98 on the event, while Pomeroy recorded a 9.9 on the uneven bars, the same event in which the Ottawa, Ontario native captured at perfect 10 on at Regionals in 2004.
"All in all, I thought our team performed well," head coach Yoshi Hayasaki said of his second-ranked men's team. "There were some routines that I thought could have been better and there were others that went better than I had anticipated. The most important thing is that I think we got the kinks out and we're off to a good start."
Women's head coach Bob Starkell was also pleased with the performances from his team and the improvement they displayed.
"I think the most pleasing event for us was vault," Starkell said. "By far, it's been our weakest event since I've been here, but tonight our ladies did really well and I expect for their performances to help us in the future."
Both coaches saw great things out of their rookies who performed as an Illini for the first time. Freshman Tyler Yamauchi nabbed a 9.9 on the rings and newcomer Michelle McGrady displayed her ability to contribute on the vault, with a 9.82.
The Illini will have to wait until the new year to get into the full swing of the regular season. January 8 marks the debut for both teams with the ladies heading to Illinois State while the men are in Chicago for the Windy City Invite.
