March 27, 2002

Chicago, Ill. - At the start of the 2002 men's gymnastics season, University of Illinois at Chicago head coach CJ Johnson had his sights set on traveling to Regionals as a squad.

Injuries and an abundance of youth put that scenario out of reach, but the Flames will be well represented next weekend, as nine UIC gymnasts will compete next Thursday, April 4, at the NCAA national qualifier at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Three teams and the top three all-around competitors not on one of the qualifying teams, plus the top three individuals on each event not already qualified on a team or as an all-around competitor, will advance from each pre-qualifying session to the finals session.

The Finals will also be held at Oklahoma on April 5-6.

Headlining the UIC qualifiers is freshman standout Neil Faustino, as he advances as an all-arounder after an impressive rookie campaign.

Sophomore Matt Musielak qualified on floor, pommels and parallel bars, while David Livingston will compete on rings, parallel bars and high bar.

Fellow sophomore Ambrose Jackson is headed to Oklahoma to try his hand on parallel bars and his specialty, high bar.

Senior Matthew Soucie will close out his fine UIC career in Norman, competing on pommels and parallel bars.

Another senior, Anthony Cirullo, will wear red and blue for the final time next week, competing on floor and vault.

Jonathan Joyce (vault), Kenny Gesiakowski (pommel horse) and Tommy Kosanda (floor) round out the qualifying Flames that will travel to Oklahoma.

Competition will take place at the Lloyd Noble Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma.