March 13, 2004
Chicago, IL – The fifth-ranked Iowa men’s gymnastics team defeated 10th-ranked Illinois-Chicago and No. 20 Arizona State, 216.7-208.65-194.1, Saturday afternoon at the UIC Physical Education Building in Chicago, IL. The Hawkeyes completed a clean sweep, winning all six event titles and crowning six event champions.
Junior Linas Gaveika (Vilnius, Lithuania) was crowned all-around champion with a six event score of 53.95, breaking the previous University of Iowa record he set earlier this season of 53.925. Sophomore Michael Reavis (Tallahassee, FL) took second place in the all-around, posting a six-event score of 52.9.
Reavis was crowned event champion on floor exercise with a score of 9.25. Gaveika followed closely behind in second place with a score of 9.15. Junior Shawn Stone (Wall Lake, IA) placed fourth with a score of 9.0, while freshman Mark Beiler (Waterloo, Ontario) finished in sixth (8.7).
Senior Eric Block (Buffalo Grove, IL) was crowned event champion on pommel horse with a score of 9.35. Gaveika finished in fourth place with a score of 8.75.
On rings, junior Kenny Lin (Sparks, NV) finished in a tie for first place, posting a score of 9.55. His score set a new University of Iowa record, since the new rules, breaking the record set earlier this season by senior Matt Metzger (Cincinnati, OH). Metzger finished in third place (9.3), while sophomore Jacques Bouchard (Rio Rancho, NM) took fourth (9.2).
Sophomore Michael McNamara (Orem, UT) was crowned co-event champion on vault with a score of 9.2. Senior Mike Kelly (Orangevale, CA) took fourth (9.15), while sophomore Erik Tefteller (San Antonio, TX) placed fifth (9.1).
The Hawkeyes dominated the parallel bars competition, taking the top three places. Gaveika was crowned event champion, posting an Iowa season-best score of 9.15. Block finished second with a score of 9.0, while Kelly finished third (8.9).
Gaveika was also crowned event-champion on horizontal bar (9.65), claiming his second event title of the afternoon. Reavis took second (9.55), while Metzger finished third (9.05).
The Hawkeyes will travel to Champaign, IL to compete in the Big Ten Championships March 19-20. Competition will be held in Huff Hall.