ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced the 2016 All-Conference team Monday, March 14, and two Fighting Illini gymnasts earned individual recognition. Seniors Sunny Kato and Giana O'Connor were rewarded for their stellar seasons, earning First-Team honors. It marked the second consecutive season Kato and O'Connor earned First-Team selections.  Regional Qualifying Scores determine All-Conference teams.

"Giana and Sunny have been remarkable leaders both on and off the competition floor," head coach Kim Landrus said. "They are competitors by nature and work very hard every day to achieve excellence.  Becoming a First Team All-Big Ten honoree speaks for itself and is something they should be very proud of.  It's an honor to coach both of them and it has been fulfilling to watch their careers grow over the past years.  They truly are some of Illini's greats!"

O'Connor garnered her fourth career All-Big Ten selection and second First-Team nod. Kato also achieved her fourth career All-Big Ten selection and third consecutive First-Team honor. The two are a part of a prestigious group of Illini gymnasts who have been an All-Conference selection in four competitive seasons. Kato and O'Connor join Cara Pomeroy and Allison Buckley as the only four to complete the feat.

O'Connor holds the most individual titles on the team this season with 21, which ranks fourth most all-time in program history. The Streamwood, Illinois, native finished the regular season ranked 24th in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten in the all-around with an RQS of 39.315.  She is in the top-10 in the conference on vault (9th) and floor (6th), while ranking 11th on beam. O'Connor garnered Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on Feb. 29.

Meanwhile, Kato leads the Big Ten on beam and ranks fourth in the nation with a RQS of 9.915. She also ranks 18th in the conference on bars. The Chino Hills, California, native has the second-most event titles on the season with seven. Kato was named the Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week twice this season.