Feb. 18, 2006

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The third-ranked University of Illinois men's gymnastics program set a new season-high against conference opponents No. 6 Iowa and No. 5 Michigan at the UI Fieldhouse Saturday night. Illinois (8-2, 6-2) posted a 211.850 besting their previous high of 210.500 set at the season opening Windy City Invite. Iowa placed second with a 209.600 while Michigan recorded a season low 196.100.

The Illini posted season-highs on rings (35.950), vault (36.750), parallel bars (36.750) and high bar (36.150). Veteran Illinois head coach Yoshi Hayasaki was pleased to see his team turn it around despite posting a season low on pommel horse (31.000).

"We talked about the turning point," Hayasaki said. "As a team we are really starting to come along aside from our pommel horse. We came away with a good win against two tough Big Ten teams in a difficult road test. I was pleased to see the guys perform with more determination and post a season-high."

The Illini had nine individuals record top three finishes including four first place finishes. Sophomore Tyler Yamauchi tied his season-high on rings with a 9.300 to take home his third rings title of the season. The Sugarland, Texas native also finished third on floor exercise (9.050) and parallel bars (8.800). Fellow sophomore Jon Drollinger, recorded a season-high 9.000 to finish fourth on rings.

The Illini dominated the parallel bars competition taking home five of the top six spots. Justin Spring continued his push for the Nissen-Emery award earning his second consecutive parallel bars title with a 9.600. Following Spring was Adam Pummer in second (9.200), Yamauchi in third (8.800), Chris Silcox in fourth (8.700) and Wesley Haagensen in sixth (8.450).

Haagensen recorded another vault title with a career-high 9.500. The Illini were also well represented on high bar with sophomore Ross Bradley earning his second career event title with a season-high 9.300 followed by Silcox who tied for second with a 9.200. Spring also turned in a second place showing on floor exercise with a season-high 9.350.

Wes Haagensen finished third in the all-around competition with a 49.300.

Up Next: The Illini take a break from Big Ten competition for a return to the UIC Physical Education Building on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. when they take on the Flames.

Final Team Scores
Total
Illinois - 211.850
Iowa - 209.600
Michigan - 196.100

Floor Exercise
Illinois - 35.700
Iowa - 34.850
Michigan - 35.700

Floor Exercise
Illinois - 31.000
Iowa - 33.250
Michigan - 29.100

Still Rings
Illinois - 35.950
Iowa - 35.650
Michigan - 33.700

Vault
Illinois - 36.750
Iowa - 36.800
Michigan - 36.200

Parallel Bars
Illinois - 36.300
Iowa - 33.450
Michigan - 31.150

High Bar
Illinois - 36.150
Iowa - 35.600
Michigan - 30.250

ILLINOIS SCORES

Floor Exercise
Justin Spring - 9.350, 2nd
Tyler Yamauchi - 9.050, t-3rd
Adam Pummer - 8.800, 8th
Wes Haagensen - 8.500, 10th
Chris Silcox - 8.400, 12th
Michael Boyer - 8.300, 14th
Pommel Horse
Ted Brown - 8.100, 4th
Chris Lung - 7.650, t-7th
Tyler Yamauchi - 7.350, 11th
Chris Silcox - 6.700, t-14th
Wes Haagensen - 5.900, 17th
Still Rings
Tyler Yamauchi - 9.300, 1st
Jon Drollinger - 9.000, 4th
Wes Haagensen - 8.850, 5th
Justin Spring - 8.800, t-6th
Chris Lung - 8.250, 13th
Nick Stango - 8.200, t-14th
Vault
Wes Haagensen - 9.500, 1st
Adam Pummer - 9.200, t-5th
Tyler Yamauchi - 9.050, t-7th
Justin Spring - 9.00, 9th
Chris Silcox - 8.950, t-10th
Anthony Russo - 7.650, 18th
Parallel Bars
Justin Spring - 9.600, 1st
Adam Pummer - 9.200, 2nd
Tyler Yamauchi - 8.800, 3rd
Chris Silcox - 8.700, 4th
Wes Haagensen - 8.450, 5th
Chris Lung - 7.850, 12th
High Bar
Ross Bradley - 9.300, 1st
Chris Silcox - 9.200, t-2nd
Adam Pummer - 9.100, 4th
Justin Spring - 8.550, 8th
Chris Lung - 8.350, 9th
Wes Haagensen - 8.100, 11th
All-Around
Wes Haggensen - 49.300, 3rd