March 20, 2002

Harrisonburg, Virg. - With just four days until the crowning point of the University of Illinois at Chicago men's gymnastics season, the ECAC Championships, the Flames met an old friend named "Mo" and cruised past James Madison on Tuesday, beating the Dukes 206.2-192.8 in Virginia.

The momentum that has been difficult to find at times this season for the Flames is now on board for the most important competition of the year coming up this weekend in Philadelphia.

On Tuesday, two event wins apiece from senior Matthew Soucie and freshman Neil Faustino, and another from sophomore Matt Musielak iced the victory for UIC, as the Flames recorded a season-best team tally.

Soucie, who has been the victim of nagging injuries throughout the season, looks to now break into the elite at the ECAC's, after he won the pommel horse (8.9) and high bar competitions for the Flames (8.45) on Tuesday.

Faustino competed well once again, taking first on vault (9.35) and floor (9.150).

With those events pacing him, Faustino also won the all-around competition with a season-best of 52.1.

Musielak was a winner on parallel bars with a fine score of 8.75, while placing second to Soucie on high bar (8.4) and pommel horse (8.6).

The Flames garnered the top three places on vault, as Jonathan Joyce and Anthony Cirullo tied for second (9.1) behind Faustino.

On pommels, UIC took the top five places with David Livingston (8.35), Kenny Gesiakowski (8.25), and Faustino (8.2) placing behind Soucie and Musielak.

Newcomer Tommy Kosanda was third on floor with a score of 8.5.

The ECAC Championships begin Saturday, March 23 in Philadelphia when the Flames will compete against the likes of Temple, UMASS, Vermont, James Madison and William & Mary, and conclude on Sunday.