University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, January 24
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Illinois
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
Meet Preview: Gophers Host Illinois in Home Opener
1/22/2020 3:55:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
Video Preview: Burns Turn 1/21
The Minnesota men's gymnastics team returns to Maturi Pavilion this weekend for its first home meet of the season.
The No. 9 Gophers host the No. 6 Illinois Fighting Illini at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. It is the first Big Ten regular season meet of the year for Minnesota, who won a share of the first-ever regular season title in 2019.
Minnesota got a glimpse of its opponent last weekend at the Windy City Invitational. The Gophers finished in second place (398.750), while the Illini came close behind in third (394.200).
"Illinois is always a strong team, you can never take Illinois lightly, ever, because they will come and bite you," head coach Mike Burns said. "They're a really solid team, great team culture, great kids, great coaching staff. It's a great program to be around and I like all of those guys, but when the meet starts, they become the enemy."
Minnesota will have its first home gym advantage of the year, kicking off its schedule of three regular season home match-ups on the season. The Gophers take on Washington on Feb. 7 and Ohio State and Nebraska on March 13.
"It feels good," junior Russell Johnson said. "I just want to go out there this weekend and protect the Pav."
The meet operates in conjunction with the annual John Roesthlisberger Iceberg Open junior meet, with event finals for Level 9 and Level 10 gymnasts running simultaneously with Minnesota's dual. Attendees from the Iceberg Open will be admitted to the Gophers meet for free.
It's also Camp Reunion Day at the Pav and there will be free pizza for fans. The team wil also sign autographs post-meet. Tickets are now available through Gopher Sports. The meet will be streamed live via BTN+ (subscription required) and live stats will be provided. Updates will also be posted on the Minnesota men's gymnastics Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.
Last Time Out
The Gophers return to Maturi Pavilion after two weeks on the road. Last weekend Minnesota competed in the Windy City Invitational in Chicago, Ill. and placed second as a team (398.750). Junior captain Shane Wiskus made his return to the Gophers lineup and came away with all-around (83.550), floor (14.200) and parallel bars titles (14.300). He also placed second on rings (13.900) and third on pommel horse (13.500). He was awarded Big Ten and CGA weekly honors for his performance. Junior Colton Dee and senior captain Timmy Kutyla rounded out the top-three finishes for Minnesota and placed second on floor (13.800) and third on high bar (13.600), respectively.
Gophers in the Rankings
Minnesota is currently ranked No. 9 as a team through two weeks of competition. The Gophers are also in the top 10 on four events: No. 4 on rings, No. 5 on parallel bars, No. 8 on vault and No. 9 on floor. Wiskus is in the No. 1 spot all-around and on parallel bars and is No. 5 on rings, No. 10 on pommel horse, No. 12 on floor and vault and No. 14 on high bar. Kutyla is ranked in top 15 on both of his events: No. 5 on high bar and No. 15 on parallel bars. Sophomores David Pochinka and Mike Moran come in at No. 4 and No. 12 on parallel bars and floor, respectively.
The Road Ahead
The Gophers hit the road again next week for a tri-meet with Iowa and UIC in Iowa City on Feb. 1. Minnesota then returns home for a dual meet with Washington on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
The Minnesota men's gymnastics team returns to Maturi Pavilion this weekend for its first home meet of the season.
The No. 9 Gophers host the No. 6 Illinois Fighting Illini at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. It is the first Big Ten regular season meet of the year for Minnesota, who won a share of the first-ever regular season title in 2019.
Minnesota got a glimpse of its opponent last weekend at the Windy City Invitational. The Gophers finished in second place (398.750), while the Illini came close behind in third (394.200).
"Illinois is always a strong team, you can never take Illinois lightly, ever, because they will come and bite you," head coach Mike Burns said. "They're a really solid team, great team culture, great kids, great coaching staff. It's a great program to be around and I like all of those guys, but when the meet starts, they become the enemy."
Minnesota will have its first home gym advantage of the year, kicking off its schedule of three regular season home match-ups on the season. The Gophers take on Washington on Feb. 7 and Ohio State and Nebraska on March 13.
"It feels good," junior Russell Johnson said. "I just want to go out there this weekend and protect the Pav."
The meet operates in conjunction with the annual John Roesthlisberger Iceberg Open junior meet, with event finals for Level 9 and Level 10 gymnasts running simultaneously with Minnesota's dual. Attendees from the Iceberg Open will be admitted to the Gophers meet for free.
It's also Camp Reunion Day at the Pav and there will be free pizza for fans. The team wil also sign autographs post-meet. Tickets are now available through Gopher Sports. The meet will be streamed live via BTN+ (subscription required) and live stats will be provided. Updates will also be posted on the Minnesota men's gymnastics Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.
Last Time Out
The Gophers return to Maturi Pavilion after two weeks on the road. Last weekend Minnesota competed in the Windy City Invitational in Chicago, Ill. and placed second as a team (398.750). Junior captain Shane Wiskus made his return to the Gophers lineup and came away with all-around (83.550), floor (14.200) and parallel bars titles (14.300). He also placed second on rings (13.900) and third on pommel horse (13.500). He was awarded Big Ten and CGA weekly honors for his performance. Junior Colton Dee and senior captain Timmy Kutyla rounded out the top-three finishes for Minnesota and placed second on floor (13.800) and third on high bar (13.600), respectively.
Gophers in the Rankings
Minnesota is currently ranked No. 9 as a team through two weeks of competition. The Gophers are also in the top 10 on four events: No. 4 on rings, No. 5 on parallel bars, No. 8 on vault and No. 9 on floor. Wiskus is in the No. 1 spot all-around and on parallel bars and is No. 5 on rings, No. 10 on pommel horse, No. 12 on floor and vault and No. 14 on high bar. Kutyla is ranked in top 15 on both of his events: No. 5 on high bar and No. 15 on parallel bars. Sophomores David Pochinka and Mike Moran come in at No. 4 and No. 12 on parallel bars and floor, respectively.
The Road Ahead
The Gophers hit the road again next week for a tri-meet with Iowa and UIC in Iowa City on Feb. 1. Minnesota then returns home for a dual meet with Washington on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
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