CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The College Gymnastics Association (CGA) announced its Week 3 awards on Wednesday (Jan. 29), honoring Brandon Dang and Ian Sandoval among its recipients.
Dang earned Specialist of the Week, totaling four CGA honors for his career after winning Rookie of the Week three times in 2024 (Feb. 14, Feb. 28, March 3). At the Illini's last competition vs. then-No. 2 Oklahoma (Jan. 25), the San Jose, Calif., native started the Illini off on a high note, scoring a 14.500 on pommel horse to lead the Illini and win the event title. Dang contributed to the team's 56.200 total score, which bested Oklahoma's by 1.450 points. The sophomore currently sits second in the national pommel horse rankings.
Sandoval was named the CGA's Rookie of the Week, marking his first CGA weekly award title. The freshman had a stellar showing for the Illini as they faced then-No. 2 Oklahoma on Jan. 25. The Frisco, Texas native earned four career-high scores that propelled him to finish second in the all-around competition behind teammate Sam Phillips. Sandoval's career-best 13.700 on pommel horse helped the Illini to a 1.450 margin of victory on the apparatus. His new vault career high of 14.350 earned him the first event title of his young collegiate career. Sandoval's high bar score improved to a 12.700, up a whopping 1.800 points from his previous best. His all-around score also jumped significantly, up 2.600 to a 79.600. Sandoval is now ranked nationally in the top 10 on vault (8th) and in the all-around (4th).
The Illini look to bounce back this Friday, Jan. 31 in Huff Hall, as No. 4 Nebraska comes to town. The competition begins at 6 p.m. CT.
Week 3 CGA Awards
Gymnast of the Week - Taylor Burkhart, Stanford
Specialist of the Week - Brandon Dang, Illinois
Rookie of the Week - Ian Sandoval, Illinois
