Darien, Ill. – The UIC men's gymnastics team scored a season high of 387.700 on Saturday night at the Midwest Open in Darien, Ill. The Flames faced three collegiate club gymnastics programs from Wisconsin-Madison, Iowa and Minnesota. The squad also claimed season highs on rings (68.200) and parallel bars (66.020).

"It was a season high and our best competition of the year," said head coach Charley Nelson. "When we were on we were great, but we're still too inconsistent; though tonight showed that if we hit our routines we're as good as any team."

Freshman Basil Szechinski lead the way for the Flames on floor after tallying a 13.650, on vault with a 13.800 and on high bar after earning a 13.150. Fellow freshmen Asad Jooma  and Michael Peluso followed; Jooma notched a 13.350 on floor and a 13.700 on vault while Peluso scored a 12.900.  

Senior co-captain Christopher Root scored a career and season high on parallel bars with a 14.100; he was also a team best on pommel horse with after scoring a 13.500. Sophomore Steen Haugsted was second best on parallel bars with his season high of 13.400. 

Freshman Tyler Ball, senior co-captain Keith Kohn and Haugsted all tied for first place on rings with a score of 13.800. Root earned a 13.500 followed by sophomore Wes Diveney's total of 13.300. 

The Flames return to action next Sunday, March 12 when they host conference rival Air force for their senior day. Competition is set for 2 p.m. CT inside the UIC Pavilion.