Aug. 10, 2007

BANGKOK, Thailand. - Chris Silcox and Tyler Yamauchi of the Illinois men's gymnastics team helped lead the US men's team to a seventh-place finish at the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Aug. 10. The soon-to-be seniors for the Illini led the five-man squad to a top-10 finish, with Yamauchi turning in his best finish of seventh (15.900) on vault, while Silcox charted a personal-best 17th (14.100) on high bar.

While Yamauchi finished within the top eight on vault - good enough to qualify for event finals to be held on Sunday, Aug. 12 - the Sugarland, Texas native did not put up two vaults, the final requirement for a competitor to make event finals on the apparatus.

In conjunction with his seventh-place outing on vault, Yamauchi also posted a 10th-place finish on floor (14.800), making him the second alternate to event finals should any competitor have to pull out of the competition. A three-time All-American for the Illini, Yamauchi also carded a 21st place outing on rings (14.800), placed 42nd on pommel horse (12.850) and 71st on parallel bars (12.550).

For Silcox's efforts at the games, the San Antonio, Texas native and 2008 senior also charted a 38th-place finish (15.00) on vault and 76th (12.450) on floor.

The World University Games continue action on Saturday, Aug. 11, with the all-around competition, while event finals are set for Sunday, Aug. 12.

One lone American advanced to event finals for the US team, Derek Helsby, a current gymnast for Penn State University. Helsby placed sixth during team finals on pommel horse, and looks to bring home a medal for the US on Sunday when he competes in event finals.

For continued coverage of the Illini and the US Men's Gymnastics World University Games team in Bangkok, visit www.fightingillini.com for recaps and updates, the official site of the 2007 World University Games at www.bangkok2007.com or the official USA Gymnastics web site at www.usa-gymnastics.org.