UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTES APRIL 16-18, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTES APRIL 16-18, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.

2 THE 2009 FIGHTING ILLINI TV ROSTER Ross Bradley - Sr. Brian Liscovitz - Jr. Nate Luketin - Sr. Chris Lung - Sr. Tyler Mizoguchi - Fr. Kyle Moe - So. C.J. Padera - Fr. Kyle Padera - Sr. Roger Pasek - So. Austin Phillips - Fr. Max Portocarrero- Fr. Devin Regan - Fr. Daniel Ribeiro - So. Paul Ruggeri - So. Andres Saavedra - Jr. Anthony Sacramento - Fr. Johnny Schell - So. Nick Stango - Sr. Luke Stannard - Jr. Chad Wiest - Jr. Tyler Williamson - Sr. Yoshi Hayasaki Head Coach Justin Spring Assistant Coach Ivan Ivankov Visiting Assistant Coach 2009 University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 2

3 0 9M U N I V E R S I T Y O F I L L I N O I S MEN S GYMNASTICS e n s Gymnastics Contact: Kassie Barry // (office) // klbarry2@illinois.edu // www. f i g h t i n g i l l i n i. c o m FOR OPENERS The No. 3 Fighting Illini men s gymnastics team travels to the 2009 NCAA Championships hosted by the University of Minnesota, April The Championships will take place at the Sports Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minn. The team finals on April 17, will air tape-delayed on ESPN2 on April 23 at 2 p.m. CT. Bart Connor and Mike Gleason will call the action. FOLLOW THE ACTION TV: ESPN2 (Airs 4/23 at 2 p.m. CT) Live Stats: fightingillini.com gophersports.com Recap: fightingillini.com #3 ILLINOIS AT 2009 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS Session II Qualifying // Thurs., April 16 // 7 p.m. CT Team Finals // Friday, April 17 // 7 p.m. CT Individual Finals // Sat., April 18 // 7 p.m. CT S p o rts Pavilion // Minneapolis, Minn ILLINOIS SCHEDULE D a t e E v e n t Ti m e / R e s u l t J Windy City Invite 2nd of 6 ( ) J 24 #7 OHIO STATE W, F Winter Cup Challenge NTS F Winter Cup Challenge NTS F 14 #4 PENN STATE W, F Pacific Coast Classic 5th of 7 ( ) F 28 #11 IOWA W, M 7 #12 ILLINOIS-CHICAGO W, M #5 Michigan W, M #7 Minnesota W, A 3 Big Ten Championships - Team Finals T1ST, A 4 Big Ten Championships - Individual Finals NTS A NCAA Championships * All Times Central Home meets are in bold and held at Huff Hall Minneapolis, Minn. Competition at the 2009 NCAA Championships begins on Thursday, April 16 with two qualifying sessions, scheduled for 1 and 7 p.m. CT. The third-ranked Illini, fresh off their share of the Big Ten team title, will compete in Thursday's evening session along with defending champion No. 2 Oklahoma, host No. 7 Minnesota, No. 6 Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois-Chicago and No. 11 Iowa. Topranked Stanford headlines the afternoon session that also includes No. 4 Michigan, No. 5 California, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 Nebraska and No. 12 Navy. The top three teams from each session will advance to the six-team finals on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. After finishing third last year, Illinois is gunning for it s first National title since ILLINOIS AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS Illinois has won nine national titles and a total of 48 individual champions in its storied history. Illinois' last title came in 1989 under head coach Yoshi Hayasaki, while its total almost became an even 10 in 2006 when the Fighting Illini finished just behind Oklahoma for the team crown. Illinois has finished in the top-three in five out of the past six seasons ILLINI BIG TEN CHAMPIONS The fourth-ranked Illinois men's gymnastics team came from behind to win its first Big Ten team championship since 2004 in thrilling fashion on April 3 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., behind a team score of The Illini made a dramatic comeback in the final rotation to share the title with the fifth-ranked Michigan. The Orange and Blue trailed the Wolverines by 2.35 points heading into the last event and THE 2009 FIGHTING ILLINI GYMINFO RANKINGS (4/7) Rank Team Average 1. Stanford Oklahoma ILLINOIS Michigan California Ohio State Minnesota Penn State Nebraska UIC Iowa Navy PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Brian LISCOVITZ Lis-CAH-vitz Tyler MIZOGUCHI....MIZ-oh-GOO-chi Roger PASEK PAY-sick Paul RUGGERI ruh-JEAR-EE Chad WIEST Weast Name Class Event Hometown / Previous School Bradley, Ross SR All-Around Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North) Liscovitz, Brian JR All-Around Hillsborough, N.J. (Immaculata (Somerville, N.J.)) Luketin, Nate SO All-Around Roselle, Ill. (Lake Park) Lung, Chris SR All-Around Lexington, Mass. (Lexington) Mizoguchi, Tyler FR All-Around Houston, Texas Moe, Kyle SO All-Around Champaign, Ill. (Champaign Central) Padera, C.J. FR All-Around Winfield, Ill. (Wheaton North) Padera, Kyle SR All-Around Winfield, Ill. (Wheaton North) Pasek, Roger SO All-Around Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (Dundee-Crown) Phillips, Austin FR All-Around Mahwah, N.J. Portocarrero, Maxwell FR All-Around Hampton Bays, N.Y. Regan, Devin FR All-Around Libertyville, Ill. Ribeiro, Daniel SO All-Around Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. (N. Highlands Regional) Ruggeri, Paul SO All-Around Manlius, N.Y. (Fayetteville Manlius) Saavedra, Andres JR All-Around Belleville, N.J. (Belleville) Sacramento, Anthony FR All-Around Libertyville, Ill. Schell, Johnny SO All-Around Gaithersburg, Md. (Gaithersburg) Stango, Nick SR All-Around Cheshire, Conn. (Cheshire) Stannard, Luke JR All-Around Waukegan, Ill. (Warren Township) Wiest, Chad JR All-Around Butler, Pa. (Moniteau) Williamson, Tyler SR All-Around Lake Forest, Calif. (Orange Lutheran) 2009 University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 3

4 strung together their highest total on still rings this season, , to catch the hosts and claim the Big Ten Championship trophy. The Conference Championship is the 24th in Illinois history, the most among any Big Ten school. RUGGERI AND STANNARD CAPTURE BIG TEN INDIVIDUAL TITLES Sophomore Paul Ruggeri and junior Luke Stannard led Illinois at the 2009 Big Ten Individual Event Finals. Ruggeri captured event titles on floor and parallel bars, while Stannard took top honors on pommel horse. It marked the first time since 1989, the last year Illinois won the NCAA team title, that the Orange and Blue captured three or more individual event titles. President B. Joseph White Chancellor Richard Herman The Big Ten individual titles are the first for both Ruggeri and Stannard. For their accomplishment's both received first team Director of Athletics Ron Guenther All-Big Ten Honors. Home Field Huff Hall Press Row Phone (217) Ruggeri added to his championship hardware at the individual event finals, starting the evening out on floor, where he turned in a flawless routine, scoring a ,.600 ahead of the second place finisher on the event. The Manlius, N.Y., native notched his second event title of the night on parallel bars with a first place score of Ruggeri became the first Big CO A C H I N G STA F F Ten champion on floor and parallel bars for Illinois since current assistant coach Justin Spring captured top honors the events in 2004 (floor) and 2006 (parallel bars). The Illinois sophomore tied for third place on high bar (14.575) and took fourth on vault with a score of , to round out the 2009 conference championships. A night after setting his career-high of on pommel horse, Stannard came up big on the event for the second straight day. The Illinois junior, ranked second in the conference on pommel horse heading into the meet, posted his second highest score this season, , to capture top honors on the event. HAYASAKI BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR After leading Illinois to its first Big Ten team title since 2004, Head Coach Yoshi Hayasaki was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. It is the fourth time Hayasaki has received the conference honor in his 33 years at Illinois. HAYASAKI S FAREWELL Legendary gymnastics coach Yoshi Hayasaki is set to retire at the end of the conclusion of the 2009 NCAA Championships. Hayasaki has led the Illini to six straight top-five NCAA finishes, the 1989 NCAA Championship and six Big Ten titles (1981, 1983, 1988, 1989, 2004, and 2009). During his 33-year care e r, Hayasaki has produced 86 All- Americans, 46 Big Ten Champions and 10 National Champions, including Paul Ruggeri, who won the 2008 High Bar national title. Hayasaki has coached three Olympians, Dominick Minicucci (1988 and 1992), Charles Lakes (1988) and current assistant coach Justin Spring (2008). He has also coached two winners of the Nissen-Emery Award in David Zeddies (1989) and Spring (2006). Zeddies (1988), Travis Romagnoli (1998), Spring (2006) and Wes Haagensen (2007) all went on to earn Big Ten Gymnast of the Year honors with Hayasaki at the helm. ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS The Illini came in at No. 3 in the latest GymInfo rankings on April 7 with an average of As a team, the Illini lead the nation on pommel horse with an average score of The Orange and Blue rank third on floor (59.970), fourth on parallel bars (58.310), fourth on high bar (57.980), seventh on vault (61.960) and sixth on still rings (58.840) NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP Illinois finished third at the 2008 NCAA Championships behind a season-high score of , after advancing to finals for the sixth straight year. Paul Ruggeri captured the 2008 NCAA high bar national championship and was one of seven Illinois gymnasts to earn All-America honors. TEAM 09 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. ILLINOIS Michigan Ohio State Minnesota Penn State Iowa ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS E V E N T AV E R A G E N AT L RK BIG TEN RK Floor Pommel Horse Still Rings Vault Parallel Bars High Bar Team INDIVIDUAL (Top 30 National // Top 15 Big Ten) G Y M N A S T E V E N T AV E. N AT L RK BT RK Brian Liscovitz PB HB Chris Lung PH PB Tyler Mizoguchi PB SR C.J. Padera PH PB HB Roger Pasek FX PH VT Daniel Ribeiro FX PH Paul Ruggeri FX VT PB HB AA Anthony Sacramento SR Luke Stannard PH FX Nick Stango SR Tyler Williamson SR University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 4 UN I V E R S I T Y IN F O R M AT I O N Name University of Illinois Location Urbana-Champaign, Ill. Founded Enrollment ,326 Nickname Fighting Illini Colors Orange and Blue Conference Big Ten Head Coach Yoshi Hayasaki Alma Mater Washington 71 Dual Record at Illinois/ Years /32 Big Ten Dual Record/ Years /32 Assistant Coach / Season Justin Spring, 3rd Alma Mater Illinois 06 Visiting Assistant Coach Ivan Ivankov, 1st Office Manager Sara Rhodes Gymnastics Phone Gymnastics Fax TE A M IN F O R M AT I O N 2009 Record Big Ten Finish T-First 2008 NCAA Finish Third 2009 Preseason Rank Fourth National Champions Returning/Lost / All-Americans Returning/Lost /3 Letterwinners Returning/Lost /4 Newcomers Team Captains Chris Lung, Sr Daniel Ribeiro, So. SPORTS INFORMATION Men s Gymnastics SID Kassie Barry klbarry2@illinois.edu Office Phone Cell Phone Fax MAILING ADDRESS: Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building 1700 S. Fourth Street Champaign, Ill

5 Illinois 2008 All-Americans included Ruggeri capturing his first accolades of his career when he earned the laurels on floor (tied for fifth), vault (fifth) and high bar (first). He was followed by first-time winners senior Jon Drollinger on rings (seventh), sophomore Brian Liscovitz on parallel bars (seventh) and freshman Daniel Ribeiro on pommel horse (sixth). The All-America honorees also included senior Wes Haagensen on parallel bars, taking third, senior Tyler Yamauchi on vault (fourth) and senior Ross Bradley for the second time in his career on high bar (fifth) RIBEIRO RIDING HIGH Illinois sophomore Daniel Ribeiro, ranked No. 1 in the c o u n t ry on pommel horse heading into the NCAA Championships, hit an almost flawless pommel horse routine to score a on the event and take home the individual crown in the dual meet against the UIC Flames on March 6. The score of is the highest number posted by any NCAA gymnast this season on the event and was a career-high for the Chesnut Ridge, N.Y., native. After capturing the 2008 Big Ten Individual Crown on pommel horse, Ribeiro will be looking for his first NCAA title on pommel horse this week. ILLINI TOP WOLVERINES SECOND YEAR IN A ROW The fourth-ranked Illinois men's gymnastics team topped the fifth-ranked Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, March 14, spoiling the Wolverines Senior Night at Cliff Keen Arena. The Illini won three individual event titles and were paced by the return of sophomore Paul Ruggeri who took first on vault and parallel bars. Sophomore Daniel Ribeiro, ranked No. 1 in the nation on pommel horse, took the event crown for the third meet in a row. As a team, the Illini edged out Michigan on three events, including pommel horse (58.100), parallel bars (58.450) and high bar (58.400). While the reigning NCAA High Bar champion Ruggeri did not take the high bar title against Michigan, his presence in the lineup was certainly felt, as the Illini posted a team season high score against the Wolverines. Freshman C.J. Padera took second place on high bar with a score of and senior Ross Bradley came in third, posting a score of IN THE BOOKS: ILLINI SMOTHER FLAMES The fourth-ranked Illinois men's gymnastics team sent its seniors out in style on Saturday, March 6, posting a season-high score of to defeat the 12th-ranked Illinois-Chicago Flames, , in front of 1,155 fans at Huff Hall. The Orange and Blue took five individual event titles with sophomore Roger Pasek winning floor, sophomore Daniel Ribeiro taking first on pommel horse, senior Tyler Williamson winning the vault title, junior Andres Saavedra taking the parallel bars crown and freshman C.J. Padera placing first on high bar to finish the evening. As a team, the Illini posted season-high scores on four events including floor (60.000), pommel horse (60.050), vault (62.850) and high bar (57.800). SENIOR DAY At the meet against the UIC Flames on March 7, the Illini men honored three seniors for their accomplishments during the past four years here at Illinois. Nate Luketin, Chris Lung and Nick Stango all competed in their final regular season meet at Huff Hall. ILLINI CELEBRATE 100 SEASONS Over a 100 former gymnasts returned to Huff on March 7 to celebrate 100 seasons of Illinois men s gymnastics, including seven-time NCAA Champion Abie Grossfeld, two-time National Champion Travis Romagnoli, National pommel horse champion Dave Stoldt, two-time All- American Butch Zunich, two-time Olympian Dominick Minicucci, Nissen-Emery award winner David Zeddies, eight time All-American Adam Pummer, NCAA Pommel Horse Champion Bob Rogers and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Justin Spring. WINTER CUP RECAP The Illini took a break from team competition as they sent nine individuals to the Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas on Feb. 5 and 7. Illinois sophomore Paul Ruggeri captured the gold medal on high bar at the prestigious event held at the Las Vegas Sports Center. Ruggeri, the reigning NCAA high bar champion, had a combined score from the two days of competition of on the event, edging out Olympian Joey Hagerty (30.450) for the national title. In other Illini news, sophomore Daniel Ribeiro finished runner-up on pommel horse with a combined score of RUGGERI NAMED CO-BIG TEN GYMNAST OF THE WEEK Sophomore Paul Ruggeri was named Co-Big Ten Gymnast of the Week by the conference office for the week ending Feb. 8. The Manlius, N.Y., native garnered his first weekly laurel of the season after capturing the gold medal on high bar at the 2009 Winter Cup Challenge at the Las Vegas Sports Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Saturday. Ruggeri shared the weekly conference laurel with Michigan's Chris Cameron. Ruggeri, the reigning NCAA high bar champion, had a combined score from the two days of competition of on the event, edging out Olympian Joey Hagerty (30.450) for the national title. This marks the third weekly honor for Ruggeri, who earned his previous two awards in consecutive weeks during his freshman campaign in February of SPRING NAMED TO SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM Third-year assistant coach Justin Spring earned his eighth overall selection to the U.S. Senior National Team on Feb. 9. The 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist was able to petition for a spot after competing at the Olympics this past summer. The 15 members on the team retain their national team status until the 2009 Visa Championships in August. Members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that won the team bronze medal who petitioned for a spot on the team are: Artemev, Bhavsar, Hagerty, Horton, Spring and Tan. ILLINOIS VS. OHIO STATE RECAP The Illini downed the Buckeyes in their home opener on Jan. 24. Sophomore standout Paul Ruggeri captured the all-around title edging out the Buckeyes' Jake Bateman As a team, the Illini edged out the Buckeyes on four events and tied for the floor title. The Orange and Blue recorded 14 top-three finishes in its season-high score of The Fighting Illini won four individual event titles on pommel horse, parallel bars, high bar and the all-around competition WINDY CITY RECAP The No. 4 Illinois men's gymnastics team started off the 2009 season with a solid second place finish at the Windy 2009 INDIVIDUAL TITLES ROSS BRADLEY (1) High Bar vs. IOWA BRIAN LISCOVITZ (2) Parallel Bars vs. IOWA High Bar vs. PENN STATE TYLER MIZOGUICHI (1) Parallel Bars at Big Ten Team Finals C.J. PADERA (2) Parallel Bars vs. OHIO STATE High Bar vs. UIC ROGER PASEK (1) Floor vs. UIC DANIEL RIBEIRO (5) Pommel Horse vs. PENN STATE vs. IOWA vs. UIC at Michigan at Big Ten Team Finals PAUL RUGGERI (7) Floor at Windy City Big Ten Individuals Vault at Michigan Parallel Bars at Michigan Big Ten Individuals High Bar vs. OHIO STATE All-Around at Minnesota ANDRES SAAVEDRA (1) Parallel Bars vs. UIC LUKE STANNARD (4) Floor vs. OHIO STATE Pommel Horse at Pacific Coast at Minnesota Big Ten Individuals TYLER WILLIAMSON (3) Still Rings vs. IOWA at Minnesota Vault vs. UIC City Invite Saturday night in Chicago. The Orange and Blue posted a team score of to finish behind only No. 6 Michigan ( ) and ahead of No.8 Minnesota ( ), No. 3 Ohio State ( ), No. 12 UIC ( ) and No. 9 Iowa ( ). RUGGERI and RIBEIRO EARN PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN HONORS The sensational sophomore duo of 2008 NCAA high bar champion Paul Ruggeri and 2008 Big Ten pommel horse champion Daniel Ribeiro were 2009 preseason All-Big Ten selections, as voted on by the coaches. Illinois, as a team, was selected third in the conference in the preseason poll University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 5

6 2009 MEN S GYMNASTICS RESULTS 2009 RESULTS (16-5-1, BIG TEN) DATE OPPONENT RESULT SCORE Jan. 17 at 39th Annual Windy City Invitational 2nd of 6 No. 8 Michigan No. 6 Illinois No. 9 Minnesota No. 3 Ohio State No. 11 Illinois-Chicago No. 7 Iowa JAN. 24 NO. 7 OHIO STATE W, Feb. 5 & 7 at Winter Cup Challenge NTS Feb. 14 NO. 4 PENN STATE W, Feb. 21 at Pacific Coast Classic 5th of 7 Japan Gymnastics All-Stars No. 3 Stanford No. 2 California No. 4 Michigan No. 6 Illinois No. 5 Minnesota No. 14 Air Force FEB. 28 NO. 11 IOWA W, MARCH 7 NO. 12 ILLINOIS-CHICAGO W, March 14 NO. 5 Michigan W, March 21 NO. 7 Minnesota W, April 3 Big Ten Championships (Ann Arbor, Mich.) T-1st, No. 4 Illinois No. 5 Michigan No. 7 Ohio State No. 8 Minnesota No. 6 Penn State No. 10 Iowa MEET-BY-MEET OPPONENT TEAM FLOOR EXERCISE POMMEL HORSE RINGS VAULT PARALLEL BARS HIGH BAR at Windy City Invitational OHIO STATE at Winter Cup Challenge PENN STATE at Pacific Coast Classic IOWA ILLINOIS-CHICAGO at Michigan at Minnesota Big Ten Championships at Big Ten Individual Finals at NCAA Team Qualifier at NCAA Team Finals at NCAA Individual Finals 2009 University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 6

7 Ross Bradley // SENIOR Pommel Horse (2/5) P. Bars High Bar (3/6) BRIAN LISCOVITZ // JUNIOR Pommel Horse (2/5) P. Bars (2/28) Vault High Bar (4/3) CHRIS LUNG // SENIOR Event Season Career High Pommel Horse (2x, last 4/3) Rings (3/6) Vault (3/6) P. Bars (3/6) High Bar (3x, last 4/3) TYLER MIZOGUCHI // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Floor (2/21) Pommel Horse (2/14) Rings (4/3) P.Bars (4/3) Vault (2/14) High Bar (2/14) All-Around (2/14) C.J. PADERA // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Floor (2/5) Pommel Horse (4/4) Vault (3/6) P.Bars (1/24) H. Bar (3/6) SEASON & CAREER HIGHS KYLE PADERA // SENIOR Still Rings (2/28) ROGER PASEK // SOPHOMORE Floor (2/21) Pommel Horse (2/28) Vault (3x, last 3/21) AUSTIN PHILLIPS // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Floor (2x, last 2/28) Pommel Horse (2/14) Rings (3/14) Vault (2/14) P.Bars (2/28) High Bar (2x, last 3/21) All-Around (1/24) DANIEL RIBEIRO // SOPHOMORE Floor (3/21) Pommel Horse (3/6) P.Bars (2/21) PAUL RUGGERI // SOPHOMORE Floor (4/4) Pommel Horse (1/24) Rings (3/14) Vault (2/5) P.Bars (4/4) High Bar (4/3) All-Around (1/24) ANDRES SAAVEDRA // JUNIOR Event Season/Career High Floor (2/28) Vault (2/28) P.Bars (3/6) ANTHONY SACRAMENTO // FRESHMAN Event Season/Career High Rings (1/24) High Bar (1/24) NICK STANGO // SENIOR Event Season/Career High Rings (4/4) LUKE STANNARD // JUNIOR Floor (3/14) Pommel Horse (4/3) Vault (3/14) P.Bars (2/28) High Bar (3/6) TYLER WILLIAMSON // SENIOR Floor (3/6) Rings (4/4) Vault (3/6) TEAM Total vs. UIC (3/6/09) at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) vs. Michigan (3/14/09) Floor Exercise vs. Minnesota (3/21/09) at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) vs. UIC (3/6/09) Pommel Horse at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) vs. UIC (3/6/09) vs. Iowa (2/28/09) Rings at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) vs. Ohio State (1/24/09) vs. UIC (3/6/09) Vault vs. UIC (3/6/09) vs. Minnesota (3/21/09) vs. Ohio State (1/24/09) Parallel Bars vs. Ohio State (1/24/09) vs. UIC (3/6/09) vs. Michigan (3/14/09) High Bar vs. Michigan (3/14/09) at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) vs. Minnesota (3/21/09) TOP SCORES OF 2009 INDIVIDUAL 2009 University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 7 All-Around Paul Ruggeri vs. Ohio State (1/24/09) Paul Ruggeri vs. Michigan (3/14/09) Paul Ruggeri vs. Minnesota (3/21/09) Floor Exercise Paul Ruggeri at Big Ten Indiv. Championships (4/4/09) Paul Ruggeri at Windy City Invitational (1/17/09) Roger Pasek at Pacific Coast Classic (2/21/09) Pommel Horse Daniel Ribeiro vs. UIC (3/6/09) Daniel Ribeiro at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) Daniel Ribeiro vs. Iowa (2/28/09) Rings Tyler Williamson at Big Ten Indiv. Championships (4/4/09) Tyler Williamson at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) Tyler Williamson vs. Minnesota (3/21/09) Vault Paul Ruggeri at Winter Cup Challenge (Day 1) (2/5/09) Paul Ruggeri at Big Ten Indiv. Championships (4/4/09) Roger Pasek at Pacific Coast Classic (2/21/09) Roger Pasek vs. Minnesota (3/21/09) Parallel Bars Paul Ruggeri at Big Ten Indiv. Championships (4/4/09) Tyler Mizoguchi at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) C.J. Padera vs. Ohio State (1/24/09) High Bar Paul Ruggeri at Big Ten Team Championships (4/3/09) Paul Ruggeri at Winter Cup Challenge (Day 1) (2/5/09) Paul Ruggeri at Winter Cup Challenge (Day 2) (2/7/09)

8 FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDAT E S ROSS BRADLEY BRIAN LISCOVITZ Senior // All-Around Junior // All-Around Naperville, Ill. // Naperville North Hillsborough, N.J. // Immaculata Won the High Bar title against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Feb. 28 with a Has tallied five top-three finishes on the season CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Finished fifth on the high bar with a score of during the 2008 NCAA Individual Finals to earn All- American honors 2006 All-American on high bar with an eighth place finish Captured the high bar title against Penn State on Feb. 14 with a score of Took the event title on parallel bars in the meet versus Iowa (14.800) Has four top-three finishes on the 2009 season Placed fifth on parallel bars at the Big Ten Individual Championships (14.550) CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2008 All-American on parallel bars with a seventh place finish (14.575) Opponent at Windy City Invite FX -- PH -- SR -- V -- PB -- HB AA -- vs. Ohio State (2) -- at Winter Cup (Day 1) vs. Penn State (3) -- at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (1) -- vs. UIC (2) -- at. Michigan (3) -- at. Minnesota at Big Ten Team Finals Season High Career High at Winter Cup vs. Penn State (1) -- at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (1) vs. UIC (2) at Michigan at Minnesota (3) at Big Ten Team Finals at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (5) Season High Career High CHRIS LUNG Senior // All-Around Lexington, Mass. // Lexington HS TYLER MIZOGUCHI Freshman // All-Around Houston, Tex. // Taylor HS Posted three top-3 finishes on three different events (PH, V, PB) Hit a career-high on pommel horse at the Big Ten Team Championships Placed fourth on pommel horse at the Big Ten Individual Championships (14.475) CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Set a career high on the rings during the 2008 NCAA Team Finals with a score of All-American on pommel horse (Fifth) Second on pommel horse at the 2006 Big Ten Championships Ranks 6th in the nation on parallel bars with an average of Took second on pommel horse and in the all-around against Penn State Five top-three finishes this season Claimed first place on the parallel bars at Big Ten Team Championships with a career-high Qualified for three events at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals (FX, SR, PB) Placed sixth on floor at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals posting a score of at Windy City Invite vs. Ohio State at Winter Cup (Day 1) vs. Penn State (2) at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa at. UIC (3) at Minnesota (3) at Big Ten Team Finals at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (4) Season High Career High at Windy City Invite vs. Ohio State (3) at Winter Cup (Day 1) at Winter Cup (Day 2) vs. Penn State (2) ( 2 ) at Pacific Coast Classic vs. UIC (3) vs. Michigan at Big Ten Team Finals (1) at Big Ten Indiv. Finals Season High Career High University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 8

9 C.J. PADERA Freshman // All-Around Winfield, Ill. // Wheaton North FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDAT E S KYLE PADERA Senior // All-Around Winfield, Ill. // Wheaton North Won his first collegiate event title on parallel bars against Ohio State (14.950) Notched a first place finish on high bar against UIC (14.900) Has charted nine top-three finishes in his debut season for the Illini Captured third place on pommel horse setting a career-high score of at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals Competed on still rings in front of the home crowd against Iowa at Windy City Invite vs. Ohio State (t2) (1) at Winter Cup (Day 1) at Winter Cup (Day 2) vs. Penn State (3) (2) -- at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (2) (3) -- vs. UIC (2) (1) -- at Michigan (2) (2) -- at Minnesota at Big Ten Team Finals at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (3) Season High Career High vs. Iowa Season High Career High ROGER PASEK Sophomore // All-Around Sleepy Hollow, Ill. // Dundee-Crown HS AUSTIN PHILLIPS Freshman // All-Around Mahwah, N.J. // St. Joseph Regional Captured first place on floor with a score of in the meet versus UIC Hit a career-high on pommel horse against the Iowa Hawkeyes Ranks sixth in the Big Ten with a vault average of Competed in the all-around competiton four times this season Career-high of in AA Highest individual finish was second place on high bar (twice) with a score of Forced to sit out the Big Ten Championships after suffering an injury two days before competition at Windy City Invite (2) vs. Ohio State (3) (3) at Winter Cup (Day 1) at Winter Cup (Day 2) vs. Penn State (2) at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (2) (3) vs. UIC (1) at Michigan at Minnesota (2) (2) at Big Ten Team Finals Season High Career High at Windy City Invite vs. Ohio State ( 3 at Winter Cup (Day 1) vs. Penn State ( 3 ) at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (3) (2) -- at Michigan at Minnesota (2) -- Season High Career High University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 9

10 FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDAT E S DANIEL RIBEIRO PAUL RUGGERI Sophomore // All-Around Sophomore // All-Around Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. // Northern Highlands Regional Manlius, N.Y. // Fayetteville Manlius HS BIG TEN CHAMPION - FLOOR & PARALLEL BARS Ranks first in the nation on pommel horse with a average Set a career-high on PH at the meet against UIC His score of on pommel is the highest posted by any NCAA athlete this season Ranks 12th in the conference on floor with a three-score average of Led the Illini with a first place finish on pommel horse (15.750) at the Big Ten Team Championships Placed sixth at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals with a CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2008 Big Ten Champion - Pommel Horse 2008 All-American on pommel horse (sixth place ) at Windy City Invite vs. Ohio State at Winter Cup (Day 1) at Winter Cup (Day 2) (2) vs. Penn State (1) at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (3) (1) vs. UIC (3) (1) at Michigan (1) at Minnesota (2) at Big Ten Team Finals (1) at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (6) Season High Career High ANDRES SAAVEDRA Junior // All-Around Belleville, N.J. // Belleville HS 2009 Big Ten Champion on Floor and Parallel Bars 2009 US National High Bar Champion at the Winter Cup Challenge Named Co-Big Ten Gymnast of the Week after his amazing performance at Winter Cup Ranks second in the nation on high bar with an average of Ranks first in the conference and fifth in the nation on floor with an average of Was sidelined with an injury after Winter Cup, made his return against Michigan in the all-around Tied for third on high bar at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals with a score of Has seven event titles on the season CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2008 NCAA High Bar Champion Three-time All-American (High Bar, Vault, Floor) at Windy City Invite (1) (t2) ( 4 ) vs. Ohio State (2) (t2) (1) (1) at Winter Cup (Day 1) (3) -- at Winter Cup (Day 2) (2) -- at Michigan (3) (1) (1) (2) at Minnesota (3) (t2) (2) (3) (1) at Big Ten Team Finals (2) (2) at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (1) (1) (3) - Season High Career High ANTHONY SACRAMENTO Freshman // All-Around Libertyville, Ill. // Carmel Catholic HS Competed twice for the Illini on three events this season Won his first career event title against UIC on parallel bars, scoring a Scored a career-high on still rings against Ohio State Ranks 11th in the Big Ten on still rings with an average of vs. Iowa (2) vs. UIC (1) Season High Career High at Windy City Invite (3) vs. Ohio State vs. Penn State at Pacific Coast Classic vs. UIC at Michigan at Minnesota (t2) at Big Ten Team Finals Season High Career High University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 10

11 NICK STANGO Senior // All-Around Cheshire, Conn. // Cheshire HS FIGHTING ILLINI BIO UPDAT E S LUKE STANNARD Junior // All-Around Waukegan, Ill. // Warren Township BIG TEN CHAMPION - POMMEL HORSE Competed on rings in every Illini meet this season Tallied a career-high at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals, placing sixth on rings 2009 Big Ten Champion on the pommel horse (15.275) Ranks second in the nation on pommel horse with an average of Won the individual floor title on floor against Ohio State, scoring a Has charted seven top-three finishes on pommel horse this season, including three first place finishes 10 overall top-three finishes for the season at Windy City Invite vs. Ohio State vs. Penn State at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (2) vs. UIC at Michigan at Minnesota at Big Ten Team Finals at Big Ten Indiv. Finals Season High Career High at Windy City Invite (5) vs. Ohio State (1) (2) vs. Penn State at Pacific Coast Classic (t1) vs. Iowa (2) vs. UIC (2) (2) at Michigan (2) (2) at Minnesota (1) at Big Ten Team Finals at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (1) Season High Career High TYLER WILLIAMSON Senior // All-Around Lake Forest, Calif. // Orange Lutheran HS Hit a career-high score of on still rings at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals Placed fourth on still rings at the Big Ten Individual Event Finals Ranks fourth in the conference on still rings Has competed in the Illinois lineup in every meet this season Posted eight top-three finishes on the season (6-still rings, 2-vault) at Windy City Invite (4) vs. Ohio State (3) vs. Penn State (3) at Pacific Coast Classic vs. Iowa (1) vs. UIC (2) (1) at Michigan (3) (3) at Minnesota (1) at Big Ten Team Finals at Big Ten Indiv. Finals (4) Season High Career High University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 11

12 2009 University of Illinois Men s Gymnastics Notes // 12