Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois men's gymnastics team is gearing up for the upcoming NCAA Championships, scheduled to be held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the Crisler Center. The Illini, ranked sixth nationally, will compete in the Championship Qualifier Session II on April 18 at 6 p.m. CT, with coverage available on ESPN+. The finals will follow on April 19 at 5:30 p.m. CT, aired on ESPN2.

Reflecting on the previous NCAA Championships in 2024, Illinois secured third place with a score of 410.461 in the first round, advancing to the Super Six. Leading the team were athletes Brandon Dang and Ryan Vanichtheeranont, who excelled on the pommel horse and high bar respectively.

During their last major event, the Big Ten Championships, the Fighting Illini finished fourth with a score of 320.950. Standout athletes included Brandon Dang, who earned a pommel horse title, and Ian Sandoval, who set a new career high in the parallel bars. Altogether, three Illini gymnasts received All-Big Ten honors.

The team also witnessed significant individual accolades this season. Matthew Vu Nguyen and Ian Sandoval were honored on the Big Ten's inaugural All-Freshman Team, with Sandoval also being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The Big Ten also recognized three regular season award winners from Illinois: Dang as Specialist of the Year, Sandoval as Freshman of the Year, and Amari Sewell for sportsmanship.

Brandon Dang had an undefeated season on the pommel horse, earning multiple weekly honors and securing a spot on the USA Gymnastics Senior National Team. Sandoval, despite an injury, ended the season ranked second nationally in the all-around category.

Four gymnasts from Illinois earned 2025 regular season All-America honors, as announced by the College Gymnastics Association. These athletes are Brandon Dang, Ian Sandoval, Garrett Schooley, and Amari Sewell.

Lastly, Head Coach Daniel Ribeiro, with a career record of 43-26, continues to lead the team into his third season. Illinois looks to build on its past achievements as they prepare for the NCAA Championships.