CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini men's gymnast Brandon Dang was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday.
"We are so proud of what Brandon has accomplished already," head coach Daniel Ribeiro said. "Coming in as a freshman; Brandon operates like a veteran senior. He was so unbelievably dominate this season. Brandon is the first single event specialist in my memory to win the Big Ten Freshman of the year. An award that is typically reserved for the highest-ranking all-around freshman. This just makes his accomplishments even more impressive."
Dang becomes the eighth Illinois gymnast named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first since Michael Fletcher in 2019. A native of San Jose, Calif., Dang was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week four times while collecting three Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week honors.
Dang has claimed six pommel horse titles this season, posting a season-high score of 15.200 at Michigan. He also owns a nation-leading 15.017 four-score average on the apparatus. The pommel horse specialist also won a silver medal at the 2024 Winter Cup, posting a score of 14.850.
On Tuesday, the Big Ten also recognized the five men's gymnastics Sportsmanship Award honorees, including Illini senior Will Hauke.
