Wagler, Gero-Holt Named Illinois Freshman of the Year
June 22, 2026 | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Track & Field
Illinois Freshman of the Year History
CHAMPAIGN Ill. – The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) announced Monday its 2025-26 Freshman of the Year honorees. Consensus All-American Keaton Wagler (basketball) was selected as the Illini's best male competing in his first collegiate season, while three-time All-American JaiCieonna Gero-Holt (track & field) was chosen as the top first-year female athlete for the Fighting Illini. The recipients were selected by vote of Illinois head coaches and DIA executive staff.
Wagler Highlights
• Consensus Second-Team All-American (first freshman in Illinois history to earn consensus All-America honors)
• NCAA South Regional Most Outstanding Player
• Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Big Ten
• Big Ten Freshman Single-Game Scoring Record (46 points)
• Illini Freshman Season Scoring Record (17.9 ppg)
Wagler is the eighth men's basketball player to earn Illinois Freshman of the Year honors and the fifth to do so under head coach Brad Underwood, joining Ayo Dosunmu (2019), Kofi Cockburn (2020), Andre Curbelo (2021) and last year's winner, Kasparas Jakucionis (2025).
Gero-Holt Highlights
• National runner-up in the Pentathlon and High Jump All-American at NCAA Indoor Championships
• Only freshman in school history to All-American in two separate events at NCAA Indoors
• NCAA Heptathlon Bronze Medalist (highest heptathlon national finish in school history)
• Big Ten Heptathlon Champion
• Big Ten Outdoor Freshman of the Year
• Big Ten Indoor Championships Pentathlon Silver Medalist
Gero-Holt is the 12th Freshman of the Year for the Illinois women's track & field program and the third in as many seasons for head coach Petros Kyprianou, following Elizabeth Ndudi in 2024 and Melissa Wullschleger in 2025.
