CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini will travel to Ann Arbor to face No. 7 Michigan on February 8 at 1 p.m. CT. In their most recent match-up at the Windy City Invitational on Jan. 18, 2025, Illinois defeated Michigan by a score of 321.700 to 316.600.
About the Opponent
The Wolverines currently have a 0-1 Big Ten Conference record, losing to then-No. 7 Penn State in their most recent meet. Michigan had strong floor performances from Jake Islam (13.050) and David Wolma (13.050), who finished in second and third place. Charlie Larson finished the rotation, scoring a career-high 14.350 to claim the event title and secure a 1.450-point lead. Michigan led for the majority of the meet, but falls on the high bar were what ultimately allowed Penn State to pull ahead and take the win.
Last Time Out
No. 2 Illinois secured a victory over No. 4 Nebraska on Jan. 31, 2025, 321.300-320.800 in their home opener. Dylan Shepard set a season-high of 13.350 on floor, followed by Ian Sandoval, who earned a career-high 13.600 to tie for the event title. Brandon Dang claimed his third-straight pommel horse title with a 14.250, while Preston Ngai finished fourth with a 13.550. Hasan Aydogdu posted a career-high 13.600 for second place on still rings. The Illini dominated vault with Garrett Schooley (14.400), Sandoval (14.300), and Amari Sewell (14.200) taking the top three spots. Sandoval also tied for first on parallel bars with a career-high 13.500, and Ryan Vanichtheeranont placed fourth with a 13.300. Vanichtheeranont and Ngai secured the win with solid high bar performances, scoring 13.450 and 13.400, respectively. Sandoval took the all-around title with a 79.250, marking his third win of the evening.
Weekly Award Winners
Freshman Ian Sandoval earned two Big Ten weekly honors, as announced by the conference on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The Frisco, Texas native was also named Inside Gymnastics' NCAA Gymnast of the Week on Feb. 3 and received the CGA Rookie of the Week award on Jan. 29. Sandoval's impressive performance against No. 4 Nebraska has led to a string of accolades. His most recent recognition, announced on Feb. 5, marks his second consecutive CGA Rookie of the Week award, bringing his total to four honors in just one week.
All Eyes On Us
- Preston Ngai and Garrett Schooley were named to this year's Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch list during the preseason.
- Both Ngai and Schooley were letterwinners for the Illini last season.
- Ngai competed in eight meets and showed up big in big moments, setting career highs at the Big Ten Championships (14.900 on vault) and NCAA Qualifiers (14.300 on pommel horse).
- Schooley also competed in eight meets and secured two event titles during the season (vault, all-around) as he repeatedly set and re-set career highs in all six events and the all-around.
Greater Goals, More Motivation
- Tate Costa, the reigning NCAA high bar champion, enters his junior year with a renewed sense of motivation for the season.
- After winning the high bar title in April 2024, Costa earned a spot at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at the end of May. He finished 25th overall to earn a spot on the USA Gymnastics Senior Development Team and the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Team Trials in June.
- Due to his successes and his can-do attitude, Costa was named a captain for the second-straight year.
- "This last season definitely gave me a sense of belief in what I'm capable of," Costa said. "I now have goals for the next four years. I want to make an Olympic team, make a World Championships team, make the Senior National Team. I want to set myself up to compete at international competitions and show that I'm ready to compete for the United States at the Olympic Games. On top of that, in terms of NCAA goals, I want to win more national titles."
Career Record: 39-21 (.650), Third season
Big Ten: 7-3 (.700), Third season
Complete Illinois Meet Notes (PDF)
