Feb. 25, 2006

CHICAGO, Ill. - With a 210.300- 193.650 victory on the road over UIC Saturday night, the fifth-ranked University of Illinois men's gymnastics team continued to show that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Orange and Blue also walked away sweeping all six event titles, including Wesley Haagensen's second all-around title with a season best 53.700.

The sophomore class once again led the Illini, earning four of the six event titles (FX, SR,V, HB). Tyler Yamauchi captured two event titles, earning a 9.250 on rings and nailing a difficult vault routine to score a 9.300. Fellow sophomore Wesley Haagensen also fared well, capturing two event titles during the meet, including high bar (8.700) and floor exercise, where Haagensen posted a career-high 9.400.

"Wesley (Haagensen) really got a chance to stretch his all-around abilities tonight," head coach Yoshi Hayasaki said. "He really stepped it up here in Chicago and I am very proud of him."

The highlight of the evening, though, was the performance by freshman Chris Lung, winning pommel horse with a career best 9.000. Lung was followed by Haagensen (8.600) and Ted Brown (8.550) earning second and third, respectively on pommel horse. Senior Adam Pummer added to the event titles for Illinois as well, capturing the top-spot on parallel bars with an 8.800.

The Illini also recorded a season-high event total of 34.100 on pommel horse, beating their previous record of 34.000 set in January at the Windy City Invite, also hosted by UIC.

Notably missing from the Orange and Blue line-up was senior Justin Spring.

"The guys are really coming into their own and starting to hit at the right times," said Hayasaki. "Posting a 210.300 without Justin (Spring) really shows the potential of this team. We have some really big meets coming up and we just want to make sure they are healthy and at 100 percent."

The Fighting Illini can be caught in action next weekend as they travel back to Iowa City, Iowa to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes.