March 26, 2005
Results
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - After overcoming a rough start to finish second as team with a school record 224.125, the Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team picked up right where they left off Saturday evening in day two of competition at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. Senior Ben Newman captured his third consecutive Big Ten pommel horse title with a score of 9.700, tying for first with teammate Ted Brown who claimed his first conference title.
For the past three years, Newman continues to set the standard of excellence on pommel horse within the Big Ten, capturing his third straight conference title on the event. The Denver, Colo. native has captured 16 pommel horse titles in his career in Orange and Blue. In addition, Newman placed sixth on rings with a score of 9.600.
For Brown, the Big Ten title is only his second event win, with his first title coming in 2004 at Temple with a score of 9.100. Brown's score of 9.700 is also a career-high for the Westfield, N.J. native.
Illinois also enjoyed top finishes from its other gymnasts who qualified for event finals. Junior Justin Spring, who led all Illini gymnasts qualifying for four event titles, finished fifth on floor (9.225), eighth on vault (8.950), second on parallel bars (9.712) and fourth on high bar (9.700). Rookie Tyler Yamauchi placed second on rings with a score of 9.675 behind Brown and Newman, while fellow newcomer Chris Silcox notched a 9.187 on floor to place sixth. Junior Adam Pummer placed fourth on vault (9.300) and ninth on parallel bars (8.225).
Haagensen Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year
The valuable contribution of freshman Wes Haagensen to the Fighting Illini was recognized by the conference Saturday evening as the Belleville, Ill. native was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Haagensen is the first Illini to receive the honor since Dominick Minicucci nabbed the award in 1988.
Haagensen truly enjoyed a breakout season in his first year on the collegiate scene, capturing the Illini all-around record with a score of 55.950 in only Illinois' second meet of the year at Minnesota Jan. 22. Although Haagensen was not as productive as anticipated in Friday's team final due to an ankle injury suffered during warm-ups, the Illini newcomer still managed to lead Illinois to a school record rings score of 38.600 by setting a school record himself of 9.850.
Complete results can be found at www.fightingillini.com
Up Next: With the conference championships behind them, the Illini are now focused on taking their game to the national stage as the 2005 NCAA Championships lie on the horizon April 7-9 in West Point, NY.
