March 6, 2008
Notes vs. Michigan in PDF Format
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
The No. 6 Illinois men's gymnastics team hosts Senior Day this Saturday, March 8, when the Illini take on No. 5 Michigan in a 2 p.m. meet at Huff Hall. Six Illini seniors, including Michael Boyer, Ross Bradley, Jon Drollinger, Wes Haagensen, Chris Silcox and Tyler Yamauchi say their final farewells to Fighting Illini fans as they perform for the last time at home.
Fans can watch the meet against Michigan for free through live scoring, available at fightingillini.com and clicking on the men's gymnastics schedule page. Fighting Illini fans also can catch live streaming video of the Illinois women's gymnastics meet this weekend, as the women will join the men in a co-ed meet, taking on No. 15 Missouri on Saturday. The women will honor seniors Krystal Melcarek and Michelle McGrady during the Senior Day festivities as well.
To view the competition, fans must purchase an Illini All-Access package, which starts at $6.95 a month. The package provides access not only to all live and archived gymnastics events, but also all other audio/visual content on fightingillini.com, including live events and features for football, men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball and wrestling, plus much more. For more information, or to sign-up for Illini All-Access, visit http://fightingillini.cstv.com/allaccess.
A full recap of the event will be available following the conclusion of the meet on the official home of Illinois men's gymnastics, fightingillini.com.
SETTING THE SCENE
The Illini are looking for their third dual meet victory of the season - first at home - when they take on No. 5 Michigan this weekend. The Orange and Blue have had mixed results up to this point in the season, starting off the year with a second-place showing at the 2008 Windy City Invitational, finished fifth behind a loaded field of national championship contenders at the 2008 Pacific Coast Classic and most recently upended No. 11 Iowa (349.800-349.400) in a dual on the road in Iowa City last weekend. Overall, this is the third time the two teams have met this season, with Illinois finishing second at Windy City over Michigan's third-place showing, while the Wolverines bested the Illini at Pacific Coast, taking fourth to UI's fifth.
This is the 175th meeting between the two teams in their storied history, with Illinois leading the series 102-72, a record that includes all dual, tournament and championship meetings. Last year, the Wolverines pulled out a 216.350-212.500 victory over Illinois in Ann Arbor, Mich., entering the dual ranked No. 1 at the time.
SENIOR SALUTE
Senior Michael Boyer • Northbrook, Ill. • Glenbrook North
Son of Craig and Felice Boyer ... During Boyer's career at Illinois, he has made himself stand out for not just his athletic talent, but his academic excellence and leadership as co-captain for Illinois in back-to-back seasons. For the last two seasons, the Northbrook, Ill., native was named an Academic All-Big Ten and CGA All-American Scholar Athlete. This season, Boyer has one individual title on floor and 10 total top-three finishes in his career.
Senior Ross Bradley • Naperville, Ill. • Naperville North
Son of Steve and Peggy Bradley ... Throughout the last couple of seasons, the Naperville, Ill., product has battled through hardships, but has not let that slow him down en route to claiming his first All-American accolade on high bar in 2006. Over his illustrious career, Bradley has competed on almost every event for the Illini, including pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar in 2008. During that time, Bradley has amassed a total of seven top-three finishes as an Orange and Blue gymnast and three event titles.
Senior Jon Drollinger • Hoopeston, Ill. • Hoopeston Area
Son of Michael and Debbie Drollinger ... Drollinger has produced one of his best seasons of his career in 2008, proving himself nationally with a top-20 ranking on still rings. Throughout his college career, the native of Hoopeston, Ill., has not only risen to the top in the gym, but academically as well by collecting two Academic All-Big Ten honors and two CGA Academic All-American Scholar-Athlete accolades. For his career, he owns three individual titles and has a total of eight top-three finishes.
Senior Wes Haagensen • Belleville, Ill. • Belleville West
Grandparents are Wayne and Judy Whicker ... Haagensen, one of the Illini's most decorated gymnasts with 75 total top-three finishes and 25 individual titles, has displayed his extraordinary talent in gymnastics in and out of the gym for the last four years. A product of Belleville, Ill., his career highlights include being named Big Ten Rookie of the Year in 2005, is a two-time Big Ten Gymnast of the Week and CGA National Gymnast of the Week selection, is an Academic All-Big Ten team honoree, has garnered six All-America accolades, was the 2007 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and is the defending Big Ten all-around champion.
Senior Chris Silcox • San Antonio, Texas • Churchill
Son of Andrew and Laurie Silcox ... During Silcox's four years at Illinois, he earned All-America status on high bar by placing fifth at the NCAA individual finals in 2007, while also advancing to individual finals on floor that same year. The San Antonio, Texas product has twice earned Academic All-Big Ten and CGA All-American Scholar-Athlete laurels. Throughout his time as an Orange and Blue gymnast, Silcox has accumulated a total of 25 top-three finishes. Silcox is a name and athlete that will always be remembered as the true embodiment of Illinois spirit.
Senior Tyler Yamauchi • Sugarland, Texas • Elkins
Son of Toshio and Joyce Yamauchi ... A native of Sugarland, Texas, Yamauchi has had an impressive senior season so far in 2008, topping off an already accomplished career. As a co-captain the past two straight seasons, Yamauchi has proven his leadership in and out of the gym by accumulating a total of three All-American honors, trying to become only the third Illini to earn All-America status four straight seasons. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and CGA Academic All-American Scholar-Athlete, Yamauchi has grabbed a total of 56 top-three finishes and 23 individual titles.
