University of Illinois
Iowa
No. 5 Illini Challenge Iowa in Dual Meet
February 29, 2020 | Men's Gymnastics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The fifth ranked Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team challenges Big Ten rival Iowa in a Sunday afternoon dual meet at 1 p.m. CT at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Illinois is 6-3 on the season, including a 1-1 conference record and hold a three-score average of 406.733.
The Orange and Blue are nationally ranked in the top-10 in six events. The Illini are No. 6 on floor exercise, No. 6 on pommel horse, No. 2 on still rings, No. 3 on vault, No. 8 on parallel bars, and No. 10 on high bar.
Last Time Out
Junior Jordan Kovach competed in the preliminary round of the 2020 Winter Cup Challenge on Feb. 20 in Las Vegas. Kovach placed 30th on pommel horse (12.450), tied for 28th on still rings (12.700), 39th on vault (12.100), 37th on parallel bars (11.800) and tied for 29th on high bar (12.150). Overall, the Chickasha, Okla., native finished 38th with a total score of 61.200.
Scouting Iowa
The Hawkeyes enter the weekend with a 4-5 overall record, including a 0-1 record in conference play. Sophomore Bennet Huang competed in the Winter Cup preliminary round for Iowa.
Huang was 27th overall with an all-around score of 77.900. The Hawkeye finished with a 13.750 on floor (T-16th), a 12.200 on pommel horse (34th), 12.200 on still rings (33rd), 13.700 on vault (T-23rd), 13.100 on parallel bars (21st) and 12.950 on high bar (17th).
Iowa is currently ranked eighth on floor, 10th on pommel horse, 11th on still rings, fifth on vault, 10th on parallel bars, and seventh on high bar.
The Illini hold a 165-82 advantage over the Hawkeyes all-time. Illinois defeated Iowa, 412.450-398.800, in the two programs last meeting on Jan. 26 last season.
Carter, McCool Earn Big Ten Weekly Awards
The Fighting Illini swept the first Big Ten weekly honors of the season on Jan. 14. Carter was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, and McCool claimed Big Ten Freshman of the Week. The honors were the first for each gymnasts' career. Carter garnered the honor again on Feb. 4.
|
Gymnast |
Award |
Date |
|
B1G co-Gymnast of Week |
Feb. 4 |
|
|
B1G Gymnast of Week |
Jan. 14 |
|
|
B1G Freshman of Week |
Jan. 14 |
Tentative Lineup
Floor Exercise
Pommel Horse
Still Rings
Cook
Diab
Vault
Ziolkowski
Manivong
Quiana
Diab
Carter
Parallel Bars
Mistretta
Diaz
Carter
Quiana
High Bar
Treadway
Manivong
Cook
Carter
Quiana
Looking Ahead
The Fighting Illini return to Huff Hall on Saturday, March 7 for a Senior Day tri-meet with Michigan and Penn State at 2 p.m. CT. The meet will also be host to Kids Club Day.
Five Illini seniors will be recognized before the meet, and Illinois will hold an autograph session at the conclusion of the meet. The first 200 fans will receive free senior posters and All-American Kids Club members can redeem a free Kids Club Autograph Book. There will be a free kids zone and balloon artist present throughout the afternoon.
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