CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The sixth ranked Illinois men's gymnastics team host Big Ten foe Nebraska for a dual meet on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Huff Hall. The event will be streamed on BTN+ and action is set to begin at 2 p.m. CT.
Promotions – Ninja Warrior Competition
At the conclusion of Saturday afternoon's meet, fans will have an opportunity to take part in our annual Illini Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Competition, to see if they have what it takes. Prizes for first, second and third place will be distributed at the end of the competition.
Fans can sign up here or sign up at the marketing table on the day of the meet to participate in the competition.
Last Time Out
The Illini fell 400.900-402.800 to Minnesota in last Friday's dual meet in Minneapolis, Minn. The Orange and Blue had a strong start to the meet to maintain a lead, but a few falls in the final rotation allowed the Gophers to eke out the win.
Seniors Michael Paradise and Danny Graham collected a title on their respected events. Paradise recorded a season-best 14.850 for first place on pommel horse, while Graham sat atop the podium on still rings with a career high 14.350. Sophomore Hamish Carter also picked up a title on vault with a 14.600, tying his career-best.
Senior Sebastian Quiana posted two season highs on floor (14.300) and on high bar (13.500) on the night.
Scouting Nebraska
The Huskers enter the weekend with a 4-1 overall record, including a 1-0 record in conference play. Nebraska is coming off a 409.850-402.950 win over Iowa last Sunday. The team claimed four event titles on the day.
Senior Jake Bonnay sat atop the podium on floor exercise with a score of 14.650. Sophomore Charlie Giles took first place on pommel horse with a 14.300. Sophomore Mitch Tyndall recorded a 14.300 on parallel bars to claim the title, while fellow sophomore Dillan King grabbed to top spot on high bar with a 13.850.
Nebraska earned a team score of 69.500 on parallel bars while sweeping the top three spots on the podium. The Huskers are currently ranked first on pommel horse and second on both floor and parallel bars.
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.
Tentative Lineup
Floor Exercise
Evan Manivong
Hamish Carter
Josh Cook
Max Diab
Sebastian Quiana
Connor McCool
Pommel Horse
Emanuele Muehlhauser
Carter
Manivong
Tommy Mistretta
Ian Skirkey
Michael Paradise
Still Rings
Jordan Kovach
Carter
Cook
Satchel Hudson
Diab
Danny Graham
Vault
McCool
Quiana
Manivong
Dylan Kolak
Diab
Carter
Parallel Bars
Mistretta
Graham
Sebastian Abedi
Carter
Kovach
Quiana
High Bar
Skirkey
Mistretta
Manivong
Kovach
Quiana
Carter
Looking Ahead
The Illini will remain at home for another dual meet against Springfield College at Huff Hall on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. CT. During the meet, club gymnasts will be competing for the club gymnastics meet.
Youth gymnasts, eighth grade and younger, will receive a voucher to redeem a T-shirt. Following the meet, the Orange and Blue will hold a post-meet autograph session.
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Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Men's Gymnastics. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more coverage.
