Final Results

CHICAGO, Ill. – The No. 4 Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team earned a team score of 394.200 to place third the 50th annual Windy City Invitational at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Saturday night behind Big Ten foes Michigan (400.000) and Minnesota (398.750).

"We entered a bigger field with a lot more pressure and we underperformed," said head coach Justin Spring. "That tells me that we need to better the pressure and must hit circumstances in the gym for the team. For this early in the season, 14 falls is not the team that we can be and we know that."

Junior Max Diab claimed the still rings title with a 14.05, while fellow junior Jordan Kovach placed fifth in all-around (77.400).

Senior Sebastian Quiana and freshman Evan Manivong posted season highs on high bar (12.900) and floor exercise (13.300), respectively.

The Illini placed in the top three in four of six events on the night.

How It Happened

First Rotation – Still Rings (69.300)

• The Orange and Blue had a strong showing in the first event, as Diab sat atop the podium with a 14.050. Kovach and senior Danny Graham tied for second-place, along with Minnesota's Shane Wiskus, with a total of 13.900. Senior Satchel Hudson recorded a 13.85 to grab sixth and freshman Josh Cook followed behind in seventh with a 13.600. Illinois set the top score of the season on the apparatus with a 69.300.

Second Rotation – Vault (69.700)

• Diab claimed fourth on the event, totaling a 14.350. Quiana and sophomore Hamish Carter tied for s11th (13.900) with Valen Watrous of Minnesota. Kovach scored a 13.800 for three-way tie of 15th with Brandon Wong (Iowa) and Donte McKinney (Minnesota).

Third Rotation – Parallel Bars (63.500)

• The Illini came away with a third-place finish, as Quiana posted a 13.900 with his routine to help the Illini get back on track after a few falls. Kovach totaled a 13.150, tying for ninth-place with Uche Eke of Michigan.

Fourth Rotation – High Bar (64.650)

• Anchoring the event, Carter had an impressive showing on the event to score 13.700 to claim third. Quiana finished 15th (12.900), while Cook tied for 16th (12.850) with Iowa's Alex Walther. Kovach totaled a 12.650 (19th) and sophomore Ian Skirkey scored a 12.550 (22nd).

Fifth Rotation – Floor Exercise (64.400)

• Manivong was the highest scoring Illini on floor with a 13.300 (seventh), marking a season-high for the Kansas City, Mo., native. Carter recorded a 13.200, tying for ninth with Noah Scigliano (Iowa) and Diab tied for 12th with UIC's Sam Montague with a 13.050.

Sixth Rotation – Pommel Horse (62.650)

• Earning second place with a score of 13.750 for the Fighting Illini was senior Michael Paradise. Manivong followed with a 13.300 to tie for fifth place alongside Uche Eke of Michigan. Kovach and Skirkey tied for 19th (12.250).

Kovach claimed fifth place in all-around with a 77.400, while Carter claimed seventh after totaling a 75.600.

Event Titles

Still Rings – Max Diab (14.050)

Up Next

Illinois will have its first Big Ten dual meet of the season on the road in Minneapolis, Minn., against Minnesota on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. CT.

Next Home Meet

Join the Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team for a dual meet against Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 1, in Huff Hall at 2 p.m. CT., in the Illini Ninja Warrior Competition meet.

At the conclusion of the meet, fans will have an opportunity to take part in our annual Illini Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Competition, to see if they have what it takes. Prizes for first, second and third place will be distributed at the end.

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