Julia Abel Director of Gymnastics Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Julia Abel Director of Gymnastics Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Brandon Dang and Ian Sandoval have been recognized with Big Ten weekly honors, as announced by the conference on February 11. Dang received the Specialist of the Week award for the second time this season and the fourth time in his career. The sophomore achieved a season-high score of 14.800 on pommel horse during a competition against then-No. 7 Michigan on February 8. This victory marks his fourth consecutive title this year, with a winning margin of 0.650 points over the runner-up. Currently, Dang is ranked second nationally on pommel horse.
Ian Sandoval earned his second consecutive Freshman of the Week honor after being recognized on February 4. In the same event against Michigan, Sandoval set personal bests on pommel horse with a score of 13.850 and high bar with a score of 13.150, securing the all-around title. He now ranks fourth nationally in vault and first in all-around.
Both athletes, along with teammates Preston Ngai and Hasan Aydogdu, are set to compete at the Winter Cup from February 21-23. Following this event, their team will face Army and Greenville at Huff Hall on March 1 at 1 p.m. CT.
The Big Ten Weekly Awards for February 11, 2025, also include Fred Richards from Michigan as Gymnast of the Week.
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