Final Results | Photo Gallery | USA Gym Recap
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Former Illini gymnast Mike Wilner ('15) came up big over the weekend, winning the U.S. National Championship on rings with a two-day score of 29.900. Three other Illinois gymnasts combined for three top-10 finishes at the event.
"It was awesome to see Illinois all over the place," head coach Justin Spring said. "The guys competed and represented the Orange and Blue on the biggest stage and we look forward to taking this experience and continuing to work to get better."
Wilner, who competed exclusively on rings, earned a first round score of 14.850. The Buffalo Grove, Illinois, native had an even better showing during the second day of competition, finishing with a score of 15.050. The combined score of 29.900 tied for first overall with Marvin Kimble (Salto Gymnastics), making Wilner the U.S. National Champion on rings.
Former gymnast Jordan Valdez ('15) also had success over the weekend, earning top-10 finishes in parallel bars and high bar. Valdez finished with a combined score of 28.800 on parallel bars, good for fourth overall. The two-day score of 27.450 on high bar placed seventh in the event.
Current Illini gymnasts Chandler Eggleston and Brandon Ngai also represented the Orange and Blue at the event. Eggleston's performance was highlighted by a 10th-place finish on high bar with a combined score of 16.850. Ngai competed on pommel horse, scoring 25.750, which placed the rising junior 19th.
| Illini at the P&G Championships |
| Gymnast |
Day One |
Day Two |
Combined |
| Chandler Eggleston |
Floor: 13.900
Vault: 13.500
P Bars: 12.850
H Bar: 13.700
|
Floor: 13.550
Vault: 14.050
P Bars: 12.850
H Bar: 13.150
|
Floor: 27.450 (T-17th)
Vault: 27.550 (21st)
P Bars: 25.700 (21st)
H Bar: 26.850 (10th)
|
| Brandon Ngai |
P Horse: 11.450 |
P Horse: 14.300 |
P Horse: 25.750 (19th) |
| Jordan Valdez |
P Bars: 14.400
H Bar: 12.800
|
P Bars: 14.400
H Bar: 14.650
|
P Bars: 28.800 (4th)
H Bar: 27.450 (7th)
|
| Mike Wilner |
Rings: 14.850 |
Rings: 15.050 |
Rings: 29.900 (T-1st) |
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