University of Illinois
Iowa
Illini Take Down Hawkeyes in Big Ten Opener
January 26, 2019 | Men's Gymnastics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's gymnastics team used season-high scores on all six events to blow past Iowa, 410.450-398.800, on Saturday night at Huff Hall. The Orange and Blue move to 1-0 in the conference as they aim for the first-ever Big Ten regular season crown.
The Illini started on floor and came away with a season-best 69.600. Junior Sebastian Quiana led the way, registering a 14.150 to earn the event title, while freshman Clay Mason Stephens followed closely behind with a 14.050. Illinois was on pommel horse in the second rotation and once again the Orange and Blue were led by junior Michael Paradise. Paradise posted a routine of 14.700 to claim his third pommel horse title of the season in as many meets.
One of the highlights of the night came in the third rotation, as senior Alex Diab added to his illustrious Illini career, earning yet another event title on still rings. Diab's 14.650 earned him his 23rd career title on the event, which ties Dave Romero for the most in Illini history.
Illinois continued its strong night on vault, posting 14+ scores across the board. Diab and Stephens topped all Illini scores at 14.500, while Michael Fletcher (14.400), Max Diab (14.350) and Johnny Jacobson (14.350) helped add to Illinois' season-best 72.100 team total. The score ranks third in the nation.
UI wrapped up the night with the final two rotations coming on parallel bars and high bar. Jacobson claimed the parallel bars title with a 13.950, while Thompson registered a 13.850 on high bar to win his second career title on the event.
Jacobson also came away with the all-around crown, posting the following scores: floor (13.600), pommel horse (13.050), still rings (13.600), vault (14.350), parallel bars (13.950) and high bar (13.400). The all-around total of 81.950 marks a new career high for the Syracuse, Utah, native.
Event Titles
Floor - Sebastian Quiana (14.150)
Pommel Horse - Michael Paradise (14.700)
Still Rings - Alex Diab (14.650) (23rd career title on the event)
Parallel Bars - Johnny Jacobson (13.950)
High Bar - Ross Thompson (13.850)
All-Around - Johnny Jacobson (81.950)
Up Next
The Illini head to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on both Nebraska and Oklahoma on Feb. 2. Competition is set for 6 p.m. CT.
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