Jan. 8, 2000

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC men's gymnastics opened its 2000 season in front of a packed house at the Physical Education Building on Saturday night as the Flames hosted the Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois got the better of UIC in the opening meet for both squads, pulling away for a 225.325-219.650 victory.

Jody Liebler led the way for the Flames, finsihing first on the vault (9.700) and third on the floor exercise (9.500) and the horizontal bars (9.250).

Justin Joyce also had a solid meet for the Flames, taking second on the pommel horse (9.250) and third on the parallel bars (9.500). Tony Cirullo added a second-place finish for UIC after scoring a 9.650 on the vault. The Flames' Dave Johnson finished third on the still rings with a 9.550.

UIC returns to action next week when it hosts the prestigious Windy City Invitational on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. UIC will host some of the nation's top gymnastics squads, including NCAA juggernauts Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa.