Feb. 2, 2002

Chicago, Ill. - In its first home action of the year, the University of Illinois at Chicago women's gymnastics team picked up their first victory of the season Saturday evening, beating Southeast Missouri State 191.4-189.675.

The men's gymnastics team was competing against the defending NCAA Champions in Ohio State, and was outmatched, as the Buckeyes won handily 213.850-201.000.

The women's team picked up all four individual event titles on the evening, as Amy August took the beam apparatus with a score of 9.725.

Kimberly Sommer tied for the win on bars with Ashley Godwin of Southeast, scoring a 9.75.

Sommer then teamed up with Jennifer O'Neil to tie for the win on vault with a score of 9.625.

Sara Casica added the fourth title of the night, wining the floor exercise with an explosive routine, which gave her a score of 9.85.

For the Flames on the men's side, UIC took the top two positions on vault and parallel bars.

Neil Faustino won the vault with a score of 9.400, while Keith Kerrigan was close behind with a score of 9.300. Faustino also won the all-around competition on the night.

On parallel bars, David Livingston and Faustino were able to sting together a couple of solid routines, as Livingston won the event with a score of 8.600. Faustino was close behind at 8.550.

Both gymnastics squads will host the Fighting Illini of Illinois next Sunday at 3:00 PM at the UIC Physical Education Building.