April 14, 2008

Throughout the 2008 season, Illinois gymnasts will walk Illini fans through the entire season, giving in depth looks into the team and the season, while also giving gymnastics enthusiasts a closer look into the six different events that make up a gymnastics meet. Overall, the Illini, who have finished in the top five at NCAA Championships the last five straight years, hope to give Orange and Blue fans an exciting ride through the 2008 season as they vie for the programs 10th national title in 2008.

In the 11th edition of the Illini Q & A, seniors Wes Haagensen and Tyler Yamauchi talk to fans about the team's performance at Big Tens, and how that is just the first step toward their final goals for the end of the season and the NCAA Championships.

How did it feel to finish second at Big Ten's, improving on last year's fifth-place finish?

Haagensen: "We took second three out of our four years here, so I think it's promising for our program. It shows that we have stayed and held our ground. Seven years ago, our program was no where near where it is today. I think that it shows everyone that we're not joking around and we are serious contenders every time we step into the gym. It also was a great feeling because we were picked to finish fifth in the preseason polls, so we have been working to prove to everyone that we are a great team."

Yamauchi: "It's bittersweet to finish second again, but it does show how far we've come. I think, as a team, we were happy with how we dealt with the adversity we faced at Big Tens, but also important to understand that this team is not done yet, and we still have high hopes for nationals. We had a season best, but we know we can do much better, and that is why we always want to continue to improve."

Talk a little about your individual finishes and accomplishments...

Haagensen: "On the second day, it's a lot more relaxed. There isn't as much pressure. You stretch out and get in the gym and you're ready to compete. That's how I take it. I was disappointed in myself after the first day for not hitting the way that I wanted to and the team not winning it all, but you have to put that behind you to focus on the second day of competition. It felt really good to redeem myself and get a little bit of pride back for the team as we took home two Big Ten individual titles."

Yamauchi: "Placing third on parallel bars meant more to me then getting second on rings. P-bars is the event that I worked on a lot over the summer with the coaches and on my own a lot. It's more satisfaction for me because I've never placed on p bars in all of my four years of college. On rings, I've always been talented on it, so it's nice to finish out on the podium for another event."

How do you build on the runner-up finish at Big Ten's and carry that over to this weekend's NCAA Championships?

Haagensen: "At Big Ten's ,we got our highest score of the season so that's always nice. Now we go into NCAA's knowing we still have room for improvement, even after getting our best score of the season with errors. It shows everyone that we are not out of the running. We just have to put everything together."

Yamauchi: "I think the biggest positive of Big Ten's is that now everyone on the team has the experience of competing in that kind of environment. Big Ten's is different than any dual meet you ever go to. There's a camera crew in your face and you have to wait. Other schools fans are chanting and yelling for them and it's just something that you have to get used to. Our freshman really proved this weekend what they are made of and the rest of the team I had all the confidence in as well. We are going to be ready for NCAAs."

Haagensen: "We just wanted to keep everyone thinking and remaining under the mentality that this is our meet to win. We wanted everyone to have that confidence. We have to stick together and keep our heads up high. No matter what happens, we can runaway with it if we just trust in each other."

Yamauchi: "You just have to tell them to remember to go out and have some fun with it. Whatever happens, happens. Our main goal was to remind the freshmen that we are a team and we stick by each other."

The 2008 Q&A has now asked its last questions of the year, as the No. 5-ranked Orange and Blue gymnasts head to Stanford, Calif., to take part in the 2008 NCAA Championships hosted on the campus of Stanford University. The event marks the end of the 2008 campaign and is the final test for Illinois, who is vying for its 10th national title against one of the toughest fields in recent years.

After this weekend, fans should be looking for a wrap-up article or blog from the Illini, as they will recap their NCAA journey, talk about their successes in California and then reflect on another successful year of Illinois gymnastics.

Until then Illini faithful, keep rooting on the Illini, and hope to see as many of you that can make it out to Maples Pavilion in Stanford to show your support, as the Fighting Illini prepare to take on the nation's best this weekend at the 66th Annual NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships April 17-19.