Results
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Illini finished their 2025 season with a final score of 316.293 at the NCAA Championships on April 19.
Nathan Whitaker started the floor rotation with a 13.900, but the Illini would need to count a fall. As an all-around competitor, Preston Ngai scored a 13.466.
On pommel horse, the Orange and Blue would again need to count a fall, but Preston Ngai continued his strong showing with a 14.100. Connor Micklos contributed a 13.233 and Will Hauke added a 13.066. Ngai's score was good for fourth place, earning him the title of All-American.
Ngai again led the way for Illinois on the still rings with a 13.733, followed by Logan Myers' 13.300.
On vault, Amari Sewell threw down a 14.366 to tie for the lead, right before Garrett Schooley earned a 14.533 to steal it from him. Schooley would ultimately finish third, and Sewell seventh, earning them both All-American status.
In the fifth rotation (parallel bars), Whitaker led off with a 13.133. Hauke added a 13.333 to the mix, and Dylan Shepard closed out with a 13.566 and a stuck landing.
The Illini would finish out the meet on high bar, where all four Illini would score in the 13s. Matthew Vu Nguyen started with a 13.000, followed by Ian Sandoval's 13.200. Ryan Vanichtheeranont tallied a 13.233. Ngai closed out the Illini's season with a 13.300.
Ngai would secure fourth in the all-around competition with a total score of 81.298 to earn his second All-American honor of the evening.
"We knew it would take 24 home runs tonight, and that carries some risks. We knew we had to take chances and the guys went for it," said head coach Daniel Ribeiro. "Preston reached a new level tonight in the all-around, finishing behind two Olympians and ahead of this year's Nissen-Emery winner. This experience will give him confidence and show him the jump that he can make next season. The fight that this team showed after the loss of our top three all-arounders shows the true heart of this family, and serves as a sneak peek of what we can accomplish next year with those who are coming back, as we fight to win a national title at State Farm Center in a year."
The Illini conclude their 2025 campaign with a record of 9-13, 5-3 in the regular season.
Medalists
Garret Schooley - Vault (Third, 14.533)
NCAA All-Americans
Preston Ngai - Pommel Horse, All-Around
Garrett Schooley - Vault
Amari Sewell - Vault
Career Highs at NCAA Championships
Preston Ngai - Floor (13.533), All-Around (81.298)
Ian Sandoval - Floor (13.900)
Dylan Shepard - Vault (14.000)
