MINNEAPOLIS, Min. – The Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team placed third in qualifying session one to move on to the national championship session tomorrow night.
Illinois scored a 400.721 as a team, with first-seeded Oklahoma placing second with a score of 406.190 and fourth-seeded Nebraska taking the title in qualifying session one with a score of 408.623.
Michael Fletcher placed second in the all-around with a score of 80.799 and took the event titles on vault with a career-high 14.800 and parallel bars with a season-high 13.866. Ian Skirkey claimed the pommel horse title with a session-leading 14.066. Four Illini placed in the top-three of individual events, with Danny Graham tied for third on rings (13.766), Evan Manivong tied for second on vault (14.733) Hamish Carter second on high bar (13.900), and Michael Fletcher placing second in the all-around (80.799).
"I am super proud of the fight we showed today. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to get the job done, and tomorrow is another opportunity to be the best version of ourselves" head coach Justin Spring said. "After all the setbacks and injuries this year, I couldn't be prouder that we are representing the Illini in the super six!"
The Illini will compete in the championship session tomorrow with Nebraska, Oklahoma, and the top three teams from session two. The championship session is scheduled for 7 PM CT tomorrow night on Big Ten Network.
HOW IT HAPPENED
MEET NOTES
- Junior Michael Fletcher claimed his first-career title on parallel bars in qualifying session one. Fletcher is now just one floor title away from becoming the 11th gymnast in Illinois history to win an event title on all six individual events and the all-around.
- Junior Michael Fletcher claimed his first-career title on parallel bars and his second-career vault title in qualifying session one. Fletcher now has eight career event titles including the all-around.
- Junior Ian Skirkey claimed his fifth career pommel horse title, third this season.
- Junior Michael Fletcher set a new season-high in the all-around (80.799).
- Junior Michael Fletcher set a new season-high on parallel bars (13.866).
- Senior Max Diab set a new season-high on floor exercise (14.100).
- Sophomore Connor McCool set a new season-high on vault (14.266).
- The Illini have now advanced to the championship session in 12 of 13 seasons under head coach Justin Spring.
- Illinois has claimed 10 national championships, most recently in 2012.
