Nov. 17, 2003

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- University of Illinois men's gymnastics coach Yoshi Hayasaki has announced the signing of Jon Drollinger, Wesley Haagensen, Chris Silcox and Tyler Yamauchi to national letters of intent for the 2004-2005 season.

Haagensen and Yamauchi have been mainstays on the U.S. Junior National Team over the past several years and have loads of experience both at the national and international levels. Haagensen has won two Junior Olympic National all-around titles and he and Yamauchi have eight individual event national titles between them. Both Haagensen and Yamauchi were two of the most sought after gymnasts in the nation this year.

Drollinger is a local product from Hoopeston, Ill. who trains at the Champaign County YMCA. He finished sixth and third on the still rings at the last two Junior Olympic National meets. Drollinger is physically one of the strongest junior gymnasts in the country and is a very strong tumbler and a vaulter.

Silcox, who hails from Texas, is known for his great form and technique. He finished 15th in the all-around at the 2003 Junior Olympics and sixth at the U.S. Junior Championships, but what impresses Hayasaki most about Silcox is his great potential and the fact that he has all the qualities of a champion in him.

"This year's recruiting class of Wesley Haagensen, Tyler Yamauchi, Chris Silcox and Jon Drollinger may be the best ever at Illinois," said Hayasaki of the class of 2008. "That includes the 1985 class of David Zeddies, Chris McKee, Dave Romero and Joel Tucker who went on to win the 1989 NCAA Title. This could very well be the nation's best class. These four individuals, along with the talented underclassmen that are already on the roster, will keep Illinois in contention for a national title for the next several years."

WESLEY HAAGENSEN
Belleville, Ill.
High School: Belleville
Club: St. Louis Gymnastics Center

Notes:
Member of the U.S. Junior National Team for five years...Was the 2003 Junior Olympic National all-around champion while also taking second on V and third on the PH...Won PH and HB at the 2003 U.S. Junior Championships and finished fifth in the AA...Won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2002 Junior Pan American Championships while winning PB and HB titles and taking second in the AA...Tied for first on the PH, took second on HB and fourth in the AA at the 2002 U.S. Junior Championships...Won the AA at the 2000 Junior Olympic National Championships.

Click here for Haagensen's USAG profile (PDF)
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TYLER YAMAUCHI
Sugarland, Texas
High School: Elkins
Club: Houston Gymnastics Academy

Notes:
Three year member of the U.S. Junior National Team...Finished first on SR and V, tied for second on PH, took third on SR and seventh in the AA at the 2003 U.S. Junior Championships...Was third on PB, third on FX and sixth in the AA at 2003 Junior Olympic Nationals... Won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2002 Junior Pan American Championships while winning PH and taking second in SR...Won FX and SR, took second on PH and fourth in the AA at the 2002 U.S. Junior Nationals...Won SR at the 2001 U.S. Junior Nationals while tying for third on FX and V and finishing fourth in AA...Won the still rings and took third in the AA at the 2001 Junior Olympic Nationals.

Click here for Yamauchi's USAG profile (PDF)
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CHRIS SILCOX
San Antonio, Tex.
High School: Churchill
Club: Alamo Gymnastics Center

Notes:
Finished 15th in the all-around at the 2003 Junior Olympic Nationals...took sixth in the AA in the Jr. Elite 1 session at the 2003 U.S. Championships...Qualified for the 2002 U.S. Championships but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

JON DROLLINGER
Hoopeston, Ill.
High School: Hoopeston
Club: Champaign County YMCA

Notes:
Finished sixth on rings and 34th in the all-around at the 2003 Junior Olympic Nationals...Finished third on the rings and sixth on the floor exercise at the 2002 J.O. Nationals...Trains at the Champaign County YMCA with Illini assistant coach Jon Valdez.