Oct. 22, 2009

2010 Schedule

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team checked in at No. 5 in the 2010 GymInfo Preseason Coaches poll, released earlier this week. Defending national champion Stanford received eight first-place votes, followed by California (4), Oklahoma (3) and Michigan (1). The Big Ten comprised six of the top 10 spots in the poll, as Penn State came in at No. 6, Ohio State at No. 7, Minnesota at No. 8 and Iowa at No. 10.

The Illini are set to open the season Dec. 6 with their annual Mixed Pairs Exhibition in conjunction with the Illinois women's gymnastics team beginning at 2 p.m. at Huff Hall, while the squad's first regular-season competition will be on the road at the Windy City Invitational hosted by UIC in Chicago on Jan. 16. The Orange and Blue will return to Huff Hall Feb. 13 to host Minnesota and also will close out the regular season at home, taking on Michigan (3/13) and UIC (3/20).

"Coming in at No. 5 in the poll is pretty solid for us," associate head coach Justin Spring said. "I think we have the potential to win the Big Ten again and do well at the NCAA Championships. Our schedule this season will allow us to prepare for the postseason and the championship meets."

2010 GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll
First-Place votes in parentheses

1. Stanford (8)
2. California (4)
3. Oklahoma (3)
4. Michigan (1)
5. ILLINOIS
6. Penn State
7. Ohio State
8. Minnesota
9. Nebraska
10. Iowa
11. UIC
12. Temple
13. William and Mary
14. Air Force
15. Navy