Nov. 16, 2009

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team will add two members from the current U.S. Junior National team next season, as associate head coach Justin Spring announced the signing of C.J. Maestas (Corrales, N.M./Cibola High School/Gold Cup Gymnastics) and Cameron Rogers (Mint Hill, N.C./Butler High School/Zenith Gymnastics) to national letters of intent.

"The most exciting thing about these recruits is that they have no weaknesses," Spring said. "They are both exceptional in the all-around and their talent makes this one of the top recruiting classes in the country."

Just this past weekend, Maestas won the still rings at the Junior Pan American Championships in Aracaju, Brazil, and placed second in the all-around, pommel horse and parallel bars, fourth on the vault and floor exercise and sixth on the high bar. Earlier in May, he captured his second straight title on the still rings at the Men's Junior Olympic National Championships, as well as first place on the parallel bars. At the 2008 Junior Visa Championships, Maestas tied for first place on the pommel horse, finished second on the parallel bars, third in the all-around and floor exercise and eighth on the vault.

"C.J. will be one of the most talented gymnasts to ever come to the University of Illinois," Spring said.

Rogers has competed at the Men's Junior Olympic National Championships since 2006 and has finished in the top five three times, including a fourth-place finish on the still rings this past year. Additionally, he won three events at this year's Junior Visa Championships in August, the all-around, still rings and parallel bars, and tied for second place on the floor exercise.

"Cameron's potential is unlimited and he'll make contributions in every event as a freshman," Spring said.