Men's Gymnastics Starts the 2026 Season at OSU Open

ILLINOIS (0-0, 0-0 B1G) at OSU Open
Date | Time	Sunday Jan. 18, 2026 | 1 p.m. CT
Location	Columbus, Ohio
Printable Notes	Illinois | Ohio State | Michigan | Greenville
2025 Stats	Illinois | Ohio State | Michigan | Greenville
Record Book	Illinois
Social Media	@IlliniMGYM  | @IlliniMGYM  | Facebook  | YouTube

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini open the 2026 season at the OSU Open, a qualifier event for the Winter Cup. The Orange and Blue will compete against athletes from Ohio State, Michigan and Greenville.

Eyes on the Illini

• Preston Ngai and Sam Phillips were named to this year's Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch list during the preseason.
•  Ngai earned two-time All-American honors after placing fourth in the all-around and on pommel horse at the NCAA Championships, following an all-around victory in the qualifier. The junior competed in all 11 meets this season, earning multiple event titles and setting career highs on the pommel horse, still rings, and high bar. Off the mat, the CSC Academic All-District selection anchored his season with performances at the Winter Cup and Big Ten Championships.
• Sam Phillips, a two-time All-American and 2024 Nissen-Emery Award finalist, saw his last season cut short by a season-ending injury after competing in just two meets. Before the injury, the two-time team captain captured the all-around title at the Windy City Invitational and earned Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors on Jan. 21. In 2024, he was a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award.

A Look at the CGA All-Star Games

•  The East team came out with a victory at the fourth-annual College Gymnastics Association (CGA) All-Star competition. Six Illini competed and placed in the top three of their respected events. 
• Nathan Whitaker started the competition off for the East with a 9.825 on the floor exercise, earning second place in the event. The West team led by a score of 38.375 -38.225 after the first rotation.
• The Illini swept on pommel horse, with Brand Dang earning gold (9.875), Preston Ngai with silver (9.825), and freshman Alex Karadzhov tied for bronze (9.750). Team East has a comfortable lead after this second, with a score of 77.425 - 76.825. 
• Garrett Schooley hit the springboard to earned a 9.825 on vault for the East team. 
• The competition was closed out with high bar, where Sam Phillips earned a 9.750 and finished with a tie for second in the event.

                  * The CGA All-Star competition was judged on a 10.0 scoring system.

This Sunday's meet will start at 1:00 p.m. CT in Columbus, Ohio.

Complete Illinois Meet Notes (PDF)