Eggleston Brings Home Big Ten Floor Title

Saturday, March 29

Lincoln, Neb.

4:00 PM

University of Illinois

Big Ten Championships

Valdez placed second on parallel bars and high bar.

March 29, 2014 | Men's Gymnastics

March 29, 2014

Results

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Illini sent four gymnasts to the podium at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals on Saturday afternoon, including Freshman Chandler Eggleston who captured the Big Ten floor exercise title. Eggleston and C.J. Maestas, who finished fourth in Friday's all-around competition earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades, while teammates Chad Mason and Jordan Valdez garnered second-team recognition after placing 3^rd on pommel horse, and 2^nd on parallel bars and high bar, respectively.

"This was a great finish to a good weekend," said head coach Justin Spring. "We spoke to stuck dismounts and they certainly paid off today. Chandler finished a great floor routine with a huge stick just rocketed him into the lead by almost 4/10 for a huge win. It's incredible for a freshman to rise to the occasion." 

Eggleston posted a career high of 15.725 on floor to notch his sixth title on the season and first career Big Ten title. The Jamestown, N.C. native clinched the first floor title for the Illini at Big Tens since Paul Ruggeri in 2012. This marks the third year in a row that an Illini freshman has brought home a Big Ten title, with Fred Hartville winning on vault in 2013, and C.J. Maestas in the all-around in 2012. Illinois has boasted at least one conference champion in each of the last 12 seasons.

" It's exciting to go out there and win as a freshman," said Eggleston "It's all that I've worked for this year and I'll take this and use the momentum to go in to NCAAs confident."

Jordan Valdez also had a big night for the Orange and Blue, placing second on both parallel bars and high bar. Valdez set a career high of 15.400 on parallel bars, and earned a 15.325 on high bar. Chad Mason started the Illini off on pommel horse, putting up a 14.700 for third place. Joey Peters was the final Illini to qualify for rings finals, placing 10^th in a 13.750.

In addition to being named First Team All-Big Ten, Maestas also competed on floor, bringing in a 14.725 for 7^th, took home second on rings with a score of 15.265, and was named Illinois' Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship, academic performance and good citizenship.

The sixth-ranked Illini will return to action in two weeks at the NCAA Championships, April 10-12 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

 

Illinois Individual Event Final Results

Floor

1^st - Chandler Eggleston (15.725)

7^th - C.J. Maestas (14.725)

Pommel Horse

3^rd - Chad Mason (14.700)

Still Rings

2^nd - C.J. Maestas (15.625)

10^th - Joey Peters (13.750)

Parallel Bars