This is the weekend you’ve all been waiting for. This
Saturday is the only DUAL meet for the Men’s and
Women’s gymnastics teams! Both teams will flip off
against their rivals at 2 PM at Huff Hall. The #4
Men’s team have been waiting all season to knock
off #3 Michigan. The #13 Women’s Team will also
take on #18 Mizzou. This meet is also the GYM JAM
Promotion. Starting at 1:00, there will be free food
for the first 1,000 fans! The FLIP CREW will also
be there with the prize wheel, so everyone who
comes can win a prize. As always, there will be
candy for everyone to eat during the meet. If you
haven’t earned your authentic 2010 FLIP CREW
shirt yet, there are still some available. Anyone who
doesn’t already have one can just come to this meet
to get it. Also, the FLIP CREW will be giving away
great prizes for the 20 top attendees for the season.
It’s still very possible to get one of these prizes if
you come to GYM JAM 2010!!!!

Hey Ten-O Club!

Get ready for a big weekend of gymnastics! Come out this Friday to Huff Hall to see your Fighting Illini take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in a Men’s and Women’s combined meet. The meet starts at 7 and make sure you sign in to qualify for a shirt. There aren’t many meets left so let’s bring the noise!

See ya there!

Jeff and Meghan

Hey Ten-O-Club!

This past weekend the No. 24 Fighting Illini placed third at the very first “Chicago Style” Invitational at Navy Pier in Chicago. The girls posted an ’08 season high of 194.775, proudly finishing behind top ranked 9.UCLA and 11.Stanford. Illini who shone were freshman Alison Buckly, Michelle McGrady, Julie Crall, Melissa Fernandez, and Lashlee Morriz—all positing personal season highs in their respected events. Help the girls use this impressive finish as momentum while swinging into Huff Hall this Saturday to take on the Michigan State Spartans at 7pm. Start collecting attendance points for super awesome shirts!

With a stellar freshmen class joining a team that has 22 of 24 routines returning for 2008, it appears the best is still to come for a program on the rise. The goal for the Illinois Women’s Gymnastics Team this year is to finish in the top three at the Big Ten Championships and put themselves in the position to win a title. Nationally, the team is looking to be ranked in the top 18 and get a seeded spot at regionals. Consistency will be key for this group who will rely heavily on its talented freshmen and sophomore classes. Although the loss of two very good routines will be missed, this year’s freshmen class of Allison Buckley, Melissa Fernandez, Lashlee Morris, and Sam Perino should more than fill the void. Plenty of talent and experience will surround these four individuals. Seniors, Michelle McGrady and Krystal Melcarek, look to step up in a big way with their talents and leadership. With the junior class coming off another incredible season last year, all four are expected to be major contributors again this season. These two classes, in combination with the Illini’s two consistent and high scoring sophomores, along with the freshmen give the 2008 Illini the potential to make a lot of noise.

This team will be exciting to watch and could be the best in school history. So come out and help make this year a memorable one by cheering the gymnasts on!!!!

Julie Crall who experienced a season-ending Achilles tendon tear during warm-ups in March is expected to make a full recovery for the 2008 season.

The Illini signed letters of intent for three new incoming freshmen for the 2008 season.  Allison Buckley is from Schaumburg, IL, Melissa Fernandez is from Endura, KA, and Samantha Perino is from Yorktown, VA.

We look forward to a great season!