CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's gymnastics team and head coach Justin Spring have announced the signing of six recruits to the Fighting Illini gymnastics program. The six will join the Orange and Blue for the 2018-19 campaign. 

"This is a very complete, well-rounded and talented class, which is good because we are losing some amazing seniors," head coach Justin Spring said. "I don't expect Illinois men's gymnastics to miss a beat with this class coming in." 

Michael Fletcher 

• Junior Elite gymnast
• 2015 Junior National Team member
• Coached by Calbert Booker 
• Earned first-place and fourth-place finishes on parallel bars at 2015 Junior Olympic Nationals 
• 11th place on all-around and second place on pommel horse at 2016 P&G National Championships
• Earned honor roll recognition throughout high school 
• Son of Bob and Karen Fletcher
• Has one brother, Sam
• Plans to go to medical school and become a doctor or a surgeon
• Chose Illinois because, "I felt like it was more of a family than a team and I wanted to be a part of that family. I feel like I can succeed in sports and academics here."
• Committed on October 8, 2017. "I walked off the plane from my final recruiting trip and I just knew."

Daniel Lasenbby

• Attended Odyssey Charter High School in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Coached by Vitaly Scherbo 
• Chose Illinois because, "it has always been a favorite school of mine. The team is different from other schools in the country and they act as one unit."

Emanuele Muehlhauser 

• Region 1 gymnast
• Coached by Michael Yee in high school 
• Two-time state champion on all around
• Three-time pommel horse state champion
• Third-place finish on pommel horse at regional championships 
• 2017 National Qualifier
• Second-ever gymnast from the state of Hawaii to be a part of a Division 1 men's gymnastics program
• Parents are Thomas and Elisa Muehlhauser
• One brother, Matteo, and one sister, Rebecca
• Undefeated in public forum debate and earned multiple president's list honors in high school
• Chose Illinois because, "In my personal opinion, it is the best! The coaches are engaging, dynamic and knowledgeable of both the school and the sport. Also, not many teams can say that their head coach is a former Olympian and that their assistant coach is a two-time NCAA Champion. On top of that, I feel like the guys on the team make me feel part of a family. Lastly, I chose the University of Illinois because by pursuing my degree here, I will be well prepared to handle life outside of college." 

Antonio Sacchiero 

• Junior Olympic gymnast 
• Coached by Calbert Booker
• Top-three finishes at 2015, 2016 and 2017 state championships
• 2017 regional still rings champion
• Earned top-five finishes in multiple events at nationals in 2016 and 2017 
• Member of first place regional team in 2015, 2016 and 2017
• Parents are Robert and Carolyn Sacchiero
• Has one brother, Marcello
• Chose Illinois because, "I looked up to many people who attended the school. I have always loved the campus and the school in general. I also plan to major in business and Illinois is one of the top business schools in the nation." 
• Committed the day after he came back from his recruiting trip in early October

Ian Skirkey

• Region 6 gymnast 
• Coached by Bob Donahue
• Attended Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
• Parents are William and Christine Skirkey
• Has one sister, Stanzi
• Spent time as a Special Olympics volunteer gymnastics coach 
• Chose Illinois because, "of the high ranking engineering program and the men's gymnastics team culture."

Clay Mason Stephens 

• Competed alongside Tyson Bull as a member of the Australian national team at the 2017 Gymnastics World Championships 
• Earned a 14th place finish on vault at the 2017 World Championships
• Finished 63rd on parallel bars at the 2017 World Championships 
• Fourth on bars and fifth on vault at the 2017 World Cup in Melbourne, Australia
• Father is Deane Stephens
• Mother is Louise Mason
• Has two brothers, Jackson and Pierce
• Spent time as a volunteer gymnastics coach 
• Chauffeured for the vision impaired 
• Chose Illinois because, "it has an exciting and enthusiastic gymnastics program with a great bunch of selfless athletes. Everyone in the program at Illinois has the goal of improving their gymnastics and supporting their teammates to do the same. Being in a healthy environment like that will help me to develop my gymnastics to the highest possible level and hopefully help the team achieve great things."

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