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Men's Gymnastics
Illini Travel to Winter Cup Challenge
Winter Cup Challenge Notes in PDF Format
Feb. 8, 2007 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Juniors Wes Haagensen and Tyler Yamauchi and sophomore Chris Lung are set to represent Illinois at the prestigious national and international competition, the Winter Cup Challenge, in Las Vegas Feb. 8-10. In addition, former Illini Adam Pummer also will travel, competing as a member of Team Gattaca. As one of the most prestigious events on the docket for the Illini this season, the Challenge gives Orange and Blue athletes the opportunity to shine on a national and international stage. The Winter Cup serves as a chance for the top gymnasts around the country to position themselves for Olympic Team consideration in 2008. Saturday, Feb. 10, will feature an exciting AA Finals similar to USA Championships. For a complete recap of the Illini's performance, go to fightingillini.com at the conclusion of the day's events. ILLINI AT WINTER CUP Junior Tyler Yamauchi Sophomore Chris Lung JANUARY RECAP In other results, junior Tyler Yamauchi finished third on still rings with a score of 9.200, seventh on vault (8.600) and 10th on parallel bars (8.950). Junior Chris Silcox made a solid debut on the season, tying for third on the floor exercise (9.200) and the high bar (9.050). The Illinois men's gymnastics team dropped its dual season opener, falling to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 207.150-204.750 at the Sports Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minn. Junior Wes Haagensen captured his second all-around title of the season to lead the Illini, while freshman Chad Wiest and junior Jon Drollinger each took home individual crowns on floor exercise and rings, respectively. Haagensen finished first in the all-around (49.600) for the second straight week and tied for second on parallel bars (8.900). In addition, Drollinger, who tied his career high of 9.500 and took home the individual crown on rings. Wiest had a breakout performance in just his second career collegiate competition, grabbing the floor exercise title with a season-high score of 9.450, while also setting a personal best on high bar (8.250). The Butler, Pa., native also took third on vault with an 8.500. Junior Michael Boyer tied his career high of a 9.200 to finish third on the floor exercise, while sophomore Tyler Yamauchi earned a solid 9.350 on the rings to finish second to Drollinger on the event. Overall, the Illini had six top-three finishes on the night. Most recently, The No. 5 Illinois men's gymnastics team posted a season-high score of 211.050, but the effort was not enough to top No. 4 Ohio State, who defeated the Illini at Huff Hall with a score of 214.700. The Illini were led by the efforts of junior Wes Haagensen, who captured his third all-around title of the season with a season-high 53.350, while the Orange and Blue freshmen continued to improve with six personal bests being set by the class. Illinois topped Ohio State on the floor (36.850-36.000) and vault (35.650-34.550), while also carding season highs on the floor, rings (36.200), vault (35.650) and high bar (34.750). Haagensen added to his all-around first-place finish with a second-place outing on high bar (9.150) and pommel horse (8.550), tied for fourth on parallel bars (8.800) and third on vault (9.000). Yamauchi also took home an individual title, posting a 9.150 on vault, while he finished fourth on rings (9.350). On the rings, the Illini swept the top-three places.
LOOKING AHEAD
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