CGA Poll

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Men's Gymnastics pulled in a sixth place ranking in the 2016 Pre-Season Coaches Poll released by the College Gymnastics Association. The Fighting Illini return 12 letter winners from the 2015 campaign as well as Chandler Eggleston who redshirted the season. Additionally, head coach Justin Spring welcomed five new faces to the program.

Reigning national champion Oklahoma pulled in the poll's top spot with 14 first place votes and 373 points. Ohio State, the 2016 Big Ten and NCAA Championships host, ranked second with a pair of first place nods and 340 points. Stanford (two first place votes, 337 points), Penn State (303 points) and Michigan (302 points) rounded out the top five. Illinois was slated sixth with 285 points and one first place vote.

The last time that Illinois was ranked outside of the top five in the Pre-Season Coaches Poll, 2008 (eighth), the team went on to finish third as a team at the NCAA Championships.

Remaining Big Ten teams including Minnesota (257), Iowa (242) and Nebraska (218), finished in spots eight through 10 respectively.

Illinois will hold its annual Orange and Blue exhibition event on Sunday, December 6, which is scheduled for a 4 p.m. CT start. The squad opens regular season competition on Saturday, January 9, at Huff Hall when UIC comes to town for the first of two dual meetings on the campaign.