Yan Inhaber-Courchesne Student Manager | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Yan Inhaber-Courchesne Student Manager | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Eight athletes from Illinois showcased their skills on the second day of the Big Ten Individual Championships held on April 5 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Each event saw Illinois representation, following team competition qualifiers from April 4.
Garrett Schooley stood out on the floor exercise, achieving a 13.875 score and securing third place. Brandon Dang made a notable impact on the pommel horse with a 14.775 score, maintaining his undefeated status for the season and claiming his second consecutive Big Ten Championships title. Alongside him, Max Farkhadau and Will Hauke participated, earning scores of 10.900 and 13.500, respectively.
Preston Ngai, representing Illinois on the still rings, scored 13.725 with a new dismount, placing fifth in the event. Schooley was active again on the vault, earning a score of 13.850, which positioned him in ninth place.
On the parallel bars, Ian Sandoval scored 13.350, placing eighth, while Dylan Shepard achieved a score of 13.525. Sandoval also took part in the high bar competition, scoring 12.025, with Ryan Vanichtheeranont wrapping up the event for Illinois with a 13.450 score, placing sixth.
Overall, Illini athletes earned several accolades. Three athletes received All-Big Ten honors, with Dang and Sandoval taking first-team honors in pommel horse and all-around categories, respectively. Schooley achieved second-team recognition on the floor.
Head coach Daniel Ribeiro expressed pride in his team, stating, "It was an amazing night of gymnastics from all the teams tonight. Our guys represented the Illini famILLy with pride! Preston is getting better and better every day, Ryan and Dylan were incredibly clean in their routines, and Garrett competed some world-class gymnastics to earn a Second-Team All-Big Ten recognition. Brandon is something else. What he's done this year is nothing short of legendary. He deserved, and earned, another Big Ten Championships title and we couldn't be more proud of what he has and is accomplishing."
Looking ahead, the Illinois team will return to Champaign before revisiting Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the NCAA Championships from April 18 to 20.
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