CHAMPAIGN – Former NCAA all-around champion Travis Romagnoli was recognized for the third time Saturday as the Illinois men's Most Valuable Gymnast.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Don't bother trying to convince Travis Romagnoli he was dealt a bad hand this season.

Or a bad ankle, for that matter.

Sure, the Illinois gymnast has spent more time in the trainer's room than on the parallel bars.

CHAMPAIGN – Last year he helped Illinois reach an NCAA regional. Now Kurt Hettinger's contributing to a much younger gymnastics team.

Bob Starkell, who has served as interim head coach of the Illinois women's gymnastics team this season, was named head coach Tuesday, athletic director Ron Guenther announced.

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois men's gymnastics team scored its highest total of the season in a 225.825-220.825 Big Ten victory against Michigan State on Saturday at Huff Hall.

The Illini, ranked fifth nationally, controlled the meet against the No. 10 Spartans to improve to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten.

Kara Kapernekas of Immaculate Heart of Mary High School signed a national letter of intent with the Illinois women's gymnastics team Tuesday.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Illinois sophomore Leo Oka finished in seventh place on still rings Saturday at the NCAA men's gymnastics championships at Nebraska.

The top six finishers in each event earned All-America status.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gina Wiechmann placed fifth in the all-around and Kim Berres was fifth in the balance beam but Illinois didn't survive the team cut at Saturday's NCAA Region 3 women's gymnastics championships at Nebraska.

The Illini, making their second consecutive postseason appearance, finished fifth with 193.1 points. Michigan won, followed by Nebraska.