Results | Photo Gallery | Finals Start List
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's gymnastics team secured the second-highest qualifying score in session two of Friday's NCAA Qualifier and advances to compete for a national title on Saturday at the State Farm Center. The Illini posted a team total of 410.324 to join Oklahoma (419.191), Michigan (408.389), Stanford (407.588), Nebraska (405.723) and Penn State (404.287) in Saturday's final, set for 6 p.m. CT.Â
Illinois got started on parallel bars and put up a team score of 64.698. Sebastian Quiana and Michael Fletcher secured the top two scores for the Illini, registering 13.766 and 13.333, respectively. Up next was high bar, and freshman Hamish Carter claimed the title on the event, as the Big Ten High Bar Champion performed a routine of 14.100.
On floor, Illinois got strong contributions across the board. Johnny Jacobson led the way at 13.700, followed by Max Diab (13.666), Quiana (13.666), Blake Martin (13.633) and Alex Diab (13.466). The Illini were on pommel horse in the fourth rotation and the team put up a season-best 68.265, highlighted by Michael Paradise's impressive 14.833. Paradise has now won nine career titles on the event, all of which have come this season.Â
The Orange and Blue wrapped up the night on still rings and vault. The rings rotation set the Illini apart from Penn State and Iowa, as Joel Diaz (13.833) and Max Diab (13.833) performed strong routines and Alex Diab anchored with a huge 14.900. The team rings total of 69.732 marked a new season high.Â
Illinois grabbed a firm hold of the No. 2 spot with their rotation on vault, scoring a 71.365 to close out the meet. Diab's 14.600 and Fletcher's 14.500 runs were the tops for the Illini.Â
Event Titles
Pommel Horse - Michael Paradise (14.833)
High Bar - Hamish Carter (14.100)
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