CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Men's Gymnastics head coach Justin Spring has announced the addition of six gymnasts that will debut in the orange and blue during the 2016-17 campaign. Athletes signing National Letters of Intent with the Illinois squad this fall are: Danny Graham, Jacob Light, Sebastian Sembos Quiana, Luke Cooper, Michael Paradise and Tommy Mistretta III.
DANNY GRAHAM // CLARENDON HILLS, ILLINOIS // HINSDALE CENTRAL H.S. // PREMIER GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
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Danny Graham has competed the past two years at the Junior Olympic National Championships. At the most recent competition, Graham finished fifth in the all-around, fourth on parallel bars and fifth on the high bar. In 2014, the Clarendon Hills, Illinois, native claimed fourth place in the all-around while also finishing sixth on both rings and high bar.
"Danny is the strongest guy in this class," shared Justin Spring. "His rings strength will add great depth to our rings lineup next season."
Graham is the son of Tim and Nancy Graham and is planning to major in business at the University of Illinois.
JACOB LIGHT // ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA // EMMAUS H.S. // PARKETTES NATIONAL GYMNASTICS CENTER
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Jacob Light has competed at the Junior Olympic National Championships for the last six seasons. The Allentown, Pennsylvania, native claimed first place on the rings in addition to fourth place finishes on the vault and pommel horse at the 2015 competition. In 2014, Light also secured the still rings crown at the event after a fourth place finish in the event in 2013. At the 2015 P&G U.S. Championships, Light turned in a fourth place finish on the rings as well.
"Jacob is one of the top all-around athletes from this recruiting class," stated Spring. "He will likely come in and immediately compete on four events, making a big impact!"
Light is the son of Gregory and Kathryn Light and plans to major in kinesiology at the University of Illinois.
SEBASTIAN SEMBOS QUIANA // OREDELL, NEW JERSEY // RIVER DELL H.S. // U.S. GYMNASTICS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
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Sebastian Sembos Quiana is a four-time Junior Olympic National Championships qualifier. At the 2015 New Jersey State Championships, the Oredell, New Jersey, native claimed fourth place in the all-around competition and third place on vault.
"Sebastian has huge contributing potential on floor, vault, parallel bars and high bar," Spring said. "He has an amazing difficulty level on floor and could be an All-American there early in his career."
Sembos Quiana is the son of Scott Quiana and Sophia Sembos and plans to major in bioengineering at the University of Illinois.
LUKE COOPER // BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE // GATEWAY ACADEMY // HARPETH SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS
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Luke Cooper is a three-time Junior Olympic National Championships qualifier. The Brentwood, Tennessee, native was also a 2015 Junior Elite national qualifier. Additionally, his resume also includes three Tennessee State Championships first place finishes in the all-around competition.
Cooper is the son of Don and Ruby Cooper and plans to major in journalism at the University of Illinois.
MICHAEL PARADISE // BARTLETT, ILLINOIS // BARTLETT H.S. // PREMIER GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
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Michael Paradise is a six-time Junior Olympic National Championships qualifier. At the most recent event, the Bartlett, Illinois, native secured a second place finish on the pommel horse after claiming the event title at the 2014 Junior Olympic National Championships. Additionally, Paradise has claimed the pommel horse title at the 2015 Windy City Invite, 2014 Houston National Invitational and 2014 Region 5 Championships.
Paradise is the son of Michael and Diane Paradise and plans to major in civil engineering at the University of Illinois.
"Luke and Michael are solid competitors on many events, but these two guys will be a huge one-two punch for us on pommel horse," stated Spring. "Both of them have All-American potential on this event."
TOMMY MISTRETTA III // LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA // LIVERMORE H.S. // WEST COAST OLYMPIC GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
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Tommy Mistretta III is a two-time Junior National Championships high bar champion, securing the title in 2012 and again in 2014. The Livermore, California, native also helped the West Coast Olympic Gymnastics Academy to a Junior National Championships team silver medal in 2013. Mistretta has been a California All-Star team member from 2010-2015, in addition to a Region 1 Select team member during that same span.
"Tommy has big contributing power as a top all-around competitor as well," offered Spring. "His gymnastics are big, dynamic and powerful, which will help him stand out amongst the field. I can see Tommy breaking into the back end of our lineup on at least four events."
Mistretta is the son of Thomas and Susan Mistretta and plans to major in business at the University of Illinois.
