CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Sam Kaplan and Gavin Dougherty are now members of the Fighting Illini Men's Gymnastics team, head coach Daniel Ribeiro announced.
Sam Kaplan | Fairhaven, Mass. | Aim High Academy
"Sam is a seasoned NCAA all-around competitor from Springfield [College]," said head coach Daniel Ribeiro. "He should have an immediate impact on pommel horse, still rings, parallel bars and high bar."
Kaplan trained at Aim High Academy before enrolling at Springfield, where he earned numerous accolades, including 2024 ECAC Gymnast of the Year, Student-Athlete of the Year, five-time USAG All-American honors, and a was the 2024 USAG Men's Collegiate National Championships all-around runner-up.
"Team culture is something that I really care about, and no school does it better than Illinois," Kaplan said. "The coaching here is unlike anything I've ever seen, so it was a no-brainer for me to want to come and be a part of the famILLy."
Gavin Dougherty | Clovis, Calif. | Clovis Academy of Gymnastics
"Gavin is a monster on still rings and he will be a specialist for us there," head coach Daniel Ribeiro said. "He has incredible strength and will fill a huge hole for us."
Dougherty currently competes for Clovis Academy of Gymnastics and boasts an impressive resume, including becoming a national qualifier in 2024 and earning Academic All-American honors (2021-2025). Staying true to his academic successes, he is the valedictorian of his class and plans to major in neuroscience.
"I loved the team culture along with the amazing coaches," Dougherty said about his reason for joining the Illini. "The team felt like family."
Kaplan and Dougherty will join Alex Karadzhov in the 2025 signing class.
