The top three individuals in each event, as ranked by their National Qualifying Average, a formula that incorporates regular season and conference meet scores:

Illinois senior Bob Rogers has been named a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award, presented to the top collegiate senior gymnast each year.

The Illinois men''s basketball team isn''t the only squad heading to a regional soon. The UI women''s gymnastics team, led by coach Bob Starkell, earned a bid to the South Central Regional in Tucson, Ariz.

The invitation to the April 3 event, which was announced Monday, is the first under Starkell, who is in his fifth season at the school.

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois men''s gymnastics team has a reputation – and the No. 1 ranking to back it up – as the nation''s best in pommel horse competition.

On Saturday, at the event finals of the Big Ten championships at Huff Hall, Illinois proved nobody in the conference can compare.

CHAMPAIGN – Twenty-four hours later, Justin Spring had another narrow defeat.

One day after losing the all-around title to Ohio State''s Randy Monahan by 0.075, Spring lost out on Big Ten Gymnast of the Year honors to the Buckeye junior.

CHAMPAIGN – If re-establishing Illinois'' men''s gymnastics program as one of the nation''s best is a two-step process, the first part was completed with a flourish Friday at Huff Hall.

Illinois stormed from behind in the final four events and claimed its conference-best 23rd Big Ten championship. But it is the Illini''s first title since 1989, snapping the league''s longest drought.

CHAMPAIGN – In March Madness terms, it was the equivalent of losing on a jump shot at the buzzer.

Illinois'' Justin Spring carried the lead into the final event of the all-around standings at Friday''s Big Ten Championships, but defending champion Randy Monahan of Ohio State emerged with the title – by 0.075.

CHAMPAIGN – By definition, roommates tend to know things others don''t, which partly explains why Adam Pummer isn''t going to give up Justin Spring''s secrets without a fight.

Pummer has borne witness to his Illinois gymnastics teammate taking risks on many occasions. And if people hang around the Illini''s training facilities long enough, they''ll see for themselves.