Final Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Senior Alex Diab won three event titles and freshman Michael Fletcher came away with the top all-around total to help Illinois blow past UIC, 404.550-352.800, Saturday night at Huff Hall. 

"There were some really great highs," head coach Justin Spring said. "But there were some moments when the coaching staff and our athletes were certainly disappointed. We can be a world-class floor and high bar team this year and those were two events we really struggled on today. With the quick turnaround with the Windy City Invite this weekend, I am looking for a huge point swing on those events."

After a historic junior season, Alex Diab didn't take long making an impact in his final year as an Illini. Diab posted the top total on floor exercise (14.300), still rings (15.050) and vault (14.500), pushing his career title total to 33. The 15.050 marks a new career high for the reigning Still Rings National Champion. 

Michael Fletcher also came up big for the Orange and Blue, winning the all-around crown with a 80.050 and tying for the top score on high bar (13.500). Matching Fletcher on high bar was senior Ross Thompson. 

"[Fletcher] really capitalized," Spring said. "I think he proved he is going to be a gamer for us all year long. We knew he was going to be a heavy hitter for us and he came out and showed it in the first meet of the year. 

Illinois wasn't affected by the loss of Illini pommel horse great Brandon Ngai, as the team posted a 66.450 on the event. UI was led by Junior Michael Paradise, who secured an impressive career-high 14.850 to come away with the event title. Senior Johnny Jacobson also came away with an event title, posting the top score on parallel bars with a 14.000. 

Event Titles

Floor - Alex Diab (14.300)

Pommel Horse - Michael Paradise (14.850) 

Still Rings - Alex Diab (15.050) 

Vault - Alex Diab (14.500)

Parallel Bars - Johnny Jacobson (14.000)

High Bar - Michael Fletcher/Ross Thompson (13.500)

All-Around - Michael Fletcher (80.050)

Looking Ahead

Illinois will head to Chicago for the annual Windy City Invitational. A year ago, the Orange and Blue picked up their fourth-straight title at the event, finishing with a team total of 404.300.

Follow the Illini

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Gymnastics. Use the handles @IlliniMGym and @IlliniWGym to follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for complete coverage