Champaign, Ill. - The seventh-ranked Illinois men's gymnastics team heads to State College Sunday, Feb. 1 for a rematch vs. No. 7 Penn State following a 317.650-317.650 tie against the Nittany Lions at the Sam Mikulak Invitational last weekend.
The Illini (0-3-1) saw standout performances in their recent meet from junior Brandon Dang, who won the pommel horse title with a 14.650. Dang, ranks No. 1 in the nation in the event and is now tied for the Orange and Blue's seventh most pommel horse titles (19), alongside Kevin Oltendorf, Ben Newman, and Dave Stoldt. Preston Ngai ranks fourth in the nation on pommel horse as well.
Sophomore Nathan Whitaker won the floor exercise with a career high 14.550. Whitaker is now first in the nation on this apparatus going into week four.
Garrett Schooley secured a vault title with a 14.400 score, which ranks seventh in the NCAA on vault this season.
Sophomore Hasan Aydogdu is a gymnast to watch for the Illini, sitting in the national ranks at fourth on still rings and eighth on high bar.
Following the trip to University Park, the team will host fourth-ranked Michigan on Feb. 7 in their home-opener at Huff Hall. Meet time is set for noon and admission is free.
