University of Illinois
Penn State
Illini Suffer Setback at Penn State
March 16, 2019 | Men's Gymnastics
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Despite holding almost a four-point lead heading into the final rotation, the third-ranked Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team came up short to both No. 4 Michigan (409.550-406.550) and No. 6 Penn State (407.800-406.900) Saturday afternoon at Rec Hall. The Illini move to 9-5 overall on the season and 2-3 in conference competition.
The Illini got off to a strong start, putting together a season-best 69.100 on still rings in rotation one. Alex Diab led the way with a 14.750 to take the title on the event, while fellow-senior Johnny Jacobson registered a season-high 13.750. Next up was floor exercise and Illinois went over 70-plus for just the third time this season on the event. Freshman Clay Mason Stephens paced all Illini gymnasts, taking the event title with a 14.700, while Jacobson (14.450), Sebastian Quiana (14.300) and Hamish Carter (14.050) all added 14-plus scores.
Illinois struggled on pommel horse in the third rotation but were picked up by a strong routine from Michael Paradise, who secured a 14.700 to place second overall on the event. The Illini then extended their lead in the fourth and fifth rotations, coming away with impressive scores on both high bar and vault. On high bar, Jacobson scored a career-best 14.150, while Ross Thompson (13.650), A. Diab (13.500) and Sebastian Quiana (13.400) all contributed strong scores for the Illini. The Diab brothers were the top vaulters for the Orange and Blue, as Alex had a run of 14.450, while Max posted a 14.400.
On parallel bars, UI got a 13.450 from Michael Fletcher, a 13.200 from Jacobson and a 13.050 from Quiana, but a couple falls gave both Penn State and Michigan the opportunity to take the lead.
Event Titles
Floor Exercise - Clay Mason Stephens (14.700)
Still Rings - Alex Diab (14.750)
All-Around - Johnny Jacobson (82.000) » career best
Up Next
The Illini will head to Columbus, Ohio, for their regular season finale at Ohio State. Meet competition is set for Sunday, March 24, at 4 p.m. CT.
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