Chambana Sun

No. 4 Illinois men's gymnastics team achieved a significant milestone by securing at least a share of the regular-season Big Ten title. The team clinched the victory with a narrow 406.500-405.950 win over No. 6 Penn State on Saturday afternoon at Rec Hall, University Park, Pennsylvania.

This victory marks the first time Illinois has claimed the Big Ten regular-season title since its inception in 2016.

"So much hard work. So much fight," said head coach Daniel Ribeiro. "We have trained with meticulous detail, day in and day out! Tonight, we are the Big Ten champions! These guys deserve this, and I couldn't be more happy and proud to bring home a trophy to Champaign. I-L-L!"

The Illini secured wins in four events during the meet: Michael Fletcher and Connor McCool shared the floor title with scores of 14.300 each; Brandon Dang won pommel horse with a score of 14.750; Amari Sewell triumphed in vault with a 14.750; and Ryan Vanichtheeranont took first place on high bar with a score of 14.000.

In other performances, Evan Manivong scored 13.800 on floor, while Sebastian Ingersoll recorded a 13.200 in the same event.

On pommel horse, Will Hauke earned a score of 14.100, Ingersoll had a score of 13.900, and Fletcher scored 13.650.

Ashton Anaya led Illinois on still rings with a score of 13.550 but did not secure the title in that event.

In vaulting exercises, Manivong achieved an impressive score of 14.500, Fletcher scored 14.300, and McCool recorded a score of 14.250.

For parallel bars, Hauke secured second place with his performance scoring at 14.000; Vahe Petrosyan followed closely with a score of 13.750 while Fletcher added a score of 13.150 to his record.

During the final rotation on high bar, Tate Costa posted a score of 13.350 and Manivong concluded his performance there with a score of 13.200.

Looking ahead, Illinois will begin their postseason by hosting the Big Ten Championships scheduled for April 5-6 at State Farm Center.