2017 Windy City Invitational

Three in a Row For The University of Illinois at Windy City Invitational

Three in a Row For The University of Illinois at Windy City Invitational

2017 Windy City Invitational results

Jan 15, 2017 by Jason MacDonald
Three in a Row For The University of Illinois at Windy City Invitational
The University of Illinois was crowned Windy City Champions for the third year in a row posting a 412.15, over 8 points above 2nd place Ohio State (403.45), with Minnesota finishing 3rd (397.60). This was the first competition with the new FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) adjusted scoring system. Following every Olympics, the Code of Points changes, and therefore, for the 2017-2020 quad, the max score for all events, with the exception of the vault (.4 lower), is .5 lower then the 2016 code.

The Illini claimed or tied for 5 of 6 event titles as well with Matt Foster tying OSU Alec Yoder on Pommel Horse (14.3), Alex Diab tying Tristan Burke OSU on Rings (14.25), Bobby Baker vault (14.7), Johnny Jacobson P-bars (14.6), and Tyson Bull High Bar (14.4). Michigan's Emyre Cole won the Floor Exercise with a 14.9 (highest score of the entire competition). After suffering an Achilles Tendon injury in 2016, Ohio State Senior Jake Martin made a strong return to competition form winning the All Around with a 83.4.

The atmosphere in the UIC Pavilion from start to finish was energized and loud a usual with all six teams getting into their teams' efforts, excited to be back on the competition floor. This competition always has its highs and lows with some awesome routines mixed in with early season misses and crashes. However, there were some highlight routines and performances that were significant to mention: Minnesota's Yaroslav Pochinka did a big handspring double front for a 14.65 that got a huge roar from the crowd and tied for 2nd.

It was exciting to see Jake Martin's return from Achilles repair to post 14 + scores on floor and vault, along with his first all around performance in many years. Illini's high bar squad was exciting to watch with Casina after Kolman, hit routine after hit routine, for the top event score of 70.75. Finally on floor, though there were many outstanding routines: Michigan's Emyre Cole mixes the difficult tumbling connections and skills with good technique and form, which was rewarded by the judges. The Windy City is always a fun and exciting start to the college men's season. 

null

null