CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Six Fighting Illini men's gymnasts - Connor McCool, Ian Skirkey, Ashton Anaya, Amari Sewell, David Pochinka and Michael Fletcher – have been named Regular-Season All-Americans by the Collegiate Gymnastics Association (CGA).
In order to earn the regular-season honor, an athlete has to be in the top eight in the Road to Nationals rankings in their respective event.
Connor McCool - Floor
McCool has had a strong 2023 season, earning six total titles to move into the program's all-time top 10 for floor.
He also recently broke his three-year-old career-high, scoring a 14.900 against Michigan in the last regular-season meet.
Ian Skirkey - Pommel Horse
Skirkey is taking his final year by storm not only landing himself in the all-time top 10 titles list for pommel horse, but also earning a spot on the Senior National Team by virtue of his first-place finish at the Winter Cup in February.
The Pepperell, Mass., native has also broken his own school record (set last year) with an impressive 15.450. He won the pommel horse title in all but two meets this season.
Ashton Anaya - Still Rings
Anaya is continuing the momentum he built last season when he was crowned the Big Ten Champion on the apparatus.
He has broken his career-high twice this season, first against Greenville with a 14.450, then at Ohio State with a 14.800.
Amari Sewell – Vault
In his first year at Illinois, Sewell has broken his career high on vault three times – in his Illini debut at the Windy City Invite (14.700), at Oklahoma (14.750), and most recently against Nebraska (14.800).
Sewell also broke his floor record at Ohio State with a 14.000.
David Pochinka - Parallel Bars
This is the second time Pochinka has earned Regular Season All-America honors, but his first at Illinois after securing a nod during his time at Minnesota in 2020.
Pochinka tied his career-high on parallel bars against Stanford/Cal and scored a 14.000 or better three times this season.
Michael Fletcher - All-Around
Fletcher has competed in the all-around five times this season, posting his season-high score of 82.300 at Michigan on March 18.
Some notable scores were a 14.300 on parallel bars vs. the Wolverines, and a 14.700 on vault against Stanford/Cal on March 4.
The Illini open postseason competition this weekend at the Big Ten Championships, set for Friday and Saturday at the Covelli Center.
