April 3, 2002
Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago men's gymnastics coach "CJ" Johnson has reason to be optimistic about his nine qualifiers for the NCAA Qualifier in Norman, Oklahoma on Thursday.
Johnson feels his athletes are not the same ones that started the season.
You see, after the Flames picked up their first victory of the season on March 3 over Air Force, they have been on a much higher level and the scores have increased across the board.
Nine gymnasts will try their hand against the toughest competition this nation has to offer.
Competition begins at 1:00 PM with session one. Live scoring can be viewed at www.soonersports.com.
The nine gymnasts include: Neil Faustino (all-around), Matt Musielak (floor, pommels, parallel bars), David Livingston (rings, parallel bars, high bar), Ambrose Jackson (parallel bars, high bar), Matthew Soucie (pommels, parallel bars), Anthony Cirullo (floor, vault) Jonathan Joyce (vault), Kenny Gesiakowski (pommels) and Tommy Kosanda (floor).
After a frustrating performance at the ECAC Championships two weeks ago, where they were just two or three routines away from really scoring big, the Flames are looking for some sort of redemption and Johnson believes it redemption will be a reality.
"I'm very optimistic about this weekend," said Johnson. "If you eliminate our first five meets of the season and look at the scores since then, we have been pretty good."
Johnson sees big things coming from the ECAC Rookie of the Year, and all-around qualifier Neil Faustino.
One of the top five vaulters in the nation, Faustino had his only slip-up at the conference meet, but Johnson feels that is well in the past.
"I don't think lightning will hit twice for Neil," said Johnson. "I think you'll see Faustino advance on vault and contend."
Ambrose Jackson is another athlete Johnson is pointing to as a safe bet for success in Oklahoma.
On high bar, Jackson has been on fire of late, and that should propel him into the nation's elite this week.
"If you exclude his (Jackson) dismount, he is world class, nation caliber on high bar," said Johnson.
Johnson sees good things from all of his athletes, but points to Faustino and Jackson as the Flames' best hopes for advancement.
Others to keep an eye on are Matt Musielak, who had his best performance of the meet at the ECAC's, Anthony Cirullo who has been solid on vault all season and Tommy Kosanda, who Johnson considers a "dark horse" on floor.
"Our guys are as good as the majority of the other guys, but some of the top teams have one or two great athletes at the top of the order," Johnson said. "We have the bodies and they'll be in the battle and I see good things from them."
