B1G Release

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Junior Joey Peters and freshman Bobby Baker of the Illinois men's gymnastics team have garnered the first Big Ten awards of the 2015 season. Peters took home the Gymnast of the Week title while Baker nabbed the Freshman of the Week honor following the Illini's win at UIC over the weekend.

This Gymnast of the Week award marks the second Big Ten accolade of Peters' career. The Orefield, Pa. native earned the Freshman of the Week title the week of Jan. 28, 2013.

Peters produced a pair of titles over the weekend. The first came on the vault where Peters registered a career-high 15.000 to grab a share of the title. With a score of 86.550, Peters also claimed the all-around title. The Illinois junior finished second on both floor (14.700) and parallel bars (14.800) along with coming in third on rings with a mark of 15.300.

In his collegiate debut, Baker netted a pair of event titles coming on parallel bars (14.850) and pommel horse (14.050). The Lemont, Ill. native finished with an all-around score of 84.550. Baker also took third on vault (14.900) and fourth on floor (13.550).

The previous Illini gymnast to earn the Gymnast of the Week honor was C.J. Maestas the week of Feb. 10, 2014 while Chandler Eggleston was the last Illini to take home the Freshman of the Week award.

Illinois will return to the UIC Pavilion this weekend to compete in the Windy City Invitational. The competition is set for Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and will feature Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State and UIC.