Illini Finish Third in the Big Ten With Upset Over No. 6 Ohio State

RECAP

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Illinois closed out the 2025 regular season with an upset victory over No. 6 Ohio State by a score of 322.450-321.700. The win puts the squad firmly in third place in Big Ten standings headed into the postseason.

Ian Sandoval (13.700) and Garrett Schooley (14.300) led the way for the Orange and Blue in the first rotation, scoring career highs on floor. Schooley would finish second on the apparatus.

On pommel horse, Max Farkhadau got the party started with a season-high 14.250 before Will Hauke and Preston Ngai contributed a pair of 13.750s. Brandon Dang, fresh off his FIG World Cup appearance in Antalya, Turkey, notched a season-high 15.000 to claim yet another event title.

On the still rings, Ngai (14.050) and Logan Myers (13.150) lifted the Illini to maintain the lead at the halfway point of the meet. Ngai would win the event title.

On vault, the Illini counted two falls, but Schooley anchored with a 14.350 to take the event title.

Illinois' struggles continued on parallel bars, where they would again count a fall. Matthew Vu Nguyen and Shepard each scored a 13.100 to lead the Orange and Blue.

The Illini trailed the Buckeyes headed into the final rotation. Ngai continued his strong showing with a career-high 13.750 to take the event title. Ryan Vanichtheeranont followed suit with a 13.650.

"It was an incredible team effort in the win today," said head coach Daniel Ribeiro. "We still have room to grow, but the fight of these guys is what helped us to the narrow victory. We got momentum back on our side heading into the postseason."

Illinois will next head to Ann Arbor, Mich. on April 4 for the Big Ten Championships.