April 16, 2011

Photo Gallery

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Competing on pommel horse for the final time in his collegiate career, senior Daniel Ribeiro took home his second NCAA title on the event, while junior Tyler Mizoguchi claimed the first of his career on parallel bars Saturday night at the individual event finals. Ribeiro, who also claimed the pommel horse title as a sophomore in 2009, tied with defending national champion Alex Naddour of Oklahoma for the top spot with a 15.550, while Mizoguchi recorded a 15.200 to secure his first NCAA title and Illinois' first on the event since Paul Ruggeri in 2009. It also marked the second time in three years Illinois produced at least two national champions.

"Today was a great way to finish," head coach Justin Spring said. "The team competition was fantastic. It's hard coming off such a big, intense day and to come into finals and bring that same level of intensity, but they did it. We finished with national champions and quite a few All-Americans, so that was very exciting to see."

"To have two national champions today is incredible," Ribeiro said. "I'm just so proud of the team and to go out like this. It's been an amazing career and it's sad that it's over. Ending the team meet the way we did last night was unbelievable. It was almost a perfect meet and the most exciting meet I've ever competed in."

"I just went out there and did what I knew I could do," Mizoguchi said. "I've been training all year for parallel bars and it was just something I felt deep down, that I knew was going to happen. Doing what I needed to do was my main focus and I knew if I hit my set like I know how to, that I could do it."

For the night, four Illini earned All-America accolades for finishing in the top eight. In addition to Mizoguchi and Ribeiro, juniors Anthony Sacramento and C.J. Padera also earned All-America honors, as Sacramento tied for second on rings (15.400) and Padera tied for eighth on parallel bars (14.250). It was the second straight All-America accolade for Sacramento, while it was the first for Padera, and third for both Ribeiro and Mizoguchi, who also garnered All-America honors last night for his second-place finish in the all-around.

Illini Individual Event Finals Results

Floor
9. Chad Wiest (14.850)
10. Tyler Mizoguchi (14.000)

Pommel Horse
T-1. Daniel Ribeiro (15.550)*

Rings
T-2. Anthony Sacramento (15.400)*

Vault
9. Tyler Mizoguchi (15.200)

Parallel Bars
1. Tyler Mizoguchi (15.200)*
T-8. C.J. Padera (14.250)*

*Earn All-America honors