Following his senior year at Dundee-Crown High School, Roger Pasek knew a lot of things were about to change.

Art classes and graphic design were in his future, now that he was set to attend the University of Illinois. And after years of one-upping each other and competing every chance they had, he and his twin brother, Josh, would be leaving home and attending different colleges. On top of that, his best friend, Matt Phillips, would be going to UIC. Would the two become mortal enemies now?

“People tell me that me and Matt can’t be friends anymore,” Pasek said with a laugh. “But really, I can’t wait to compete against him. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The most welcome change of all, though, may come where most people least expect it. In a welcome twist, Pasek will no longer be the only member of his gymnastics team. And considering how much time he’s set to spend working out at Kenney Gym and traveling across the country, that last change, at least, is a relief.

“I do wish that I had teammates sometimes,” said Pasek, as his senior year in high school came to a close. “It gets hard competing by yourself all of the time.”

In high school, Pasek somehow managed to become the only member of his school’s gymnastics team. As in, there was nobody else around, ever. In time, he came to accept the idea that when his high school competed, he’d be the only one taking to the mats.

At the University, practices will be stacked with gymnasts from across the country – some boisterous, some quiet. When the team stampedes Huff Hall for meets, Pasek will be arm-in-arm with a full squad of gymnasts. It’s the future Pasek has been looking forward to for a long time.

As part of the newest wave of freshmen recruits to the Illinois gymnastics team, Pasek joins a powerful squad containing the last three Illinois high school all-around champions. Michael Boyer, Kyle Padera and Brian Hulbert, the previous three state titlists, have led the way for home-state gymnasts and are currently on the Illinois roster.

Michael Boyer, the 2003 winner, helped lead last year’s team to a fifth-place finish in the national championships and has high hopes for Pasek.

“He’s going to be closer with everyone on this team than he’s ever been before,” said Boyer. “It’s the truth. The things we go through with each other – we have a common goal, a common enemy. You can’t get any closer than this group of guys.”

Brian Hulbert, last year’s Illinois high school champion, redshirted last season and didn’t compete. Although he’s primed to see action this winter, Pasek still hopes that he won’t have to sit out his freshman campaign. Should he have to watch any meets from the sidelines, though, Pasek said he’ll look to Boyer for inspiration.

“He was always a really clean gymnast, but seeing how much he’s improved has really motivated me,” Pasek said. “Once you get to the college level, no matter your ability, that’s just a chance to prove yourself.”