LOUISVILLE, K.Y. – Graduate student Ian Skirkey placed first on pommel horse, making him the first current Illini to make the U.S. Senior National Team since 2016 when Paul Ruggeri and C.J Maestras made the team.
“What a magical weekend for Ian Skirkey,” head coach Daniel Ribeiro said. “He has spent the last five years working harder than anyone at his craft, slowly building for this very moment. He absolutely dominated the competition this weekend and earned a well deserved spot at the U.S. Senior National Team.”
Fellow Illini Connor McCool placed third on floor, while Michael Fletcher third on vault. Former Illini Alex Diab placed first in still rings and future Illini Brandon Dang placed fourth on pommel horse. Vahe Petrosyan was injured and unable to compete.
The past, present and future Illini competed two different days, with the scores from each day averaged together.
On his first performance, Skirkey scored a 14.972 and then a 15.972 on the second day – breaking his own record of the highest score in program history.
McCool also had great performances, securing a 13.803 and 13.843 on floor and a 14.150 and 13.450 on vault.
Fletcher recorded a 14.450 and 13.900 on vault while Diab scored a 12.900 and a 13.500 on still rings. Dang secured an impressive 14.466 and a 13.307.
In all, eight medals were earned from current, former and incoming Illini from the Winter Cup and the Elite Team Cup, a junior event going on at the same time.
“This was an incredible weekend for past, present and future Illini,” Ribeiro said. “Five gold, one silver and two bronze medals were earned among the best 48 gymnasts in the United States! I could not be more excited about the future of Illinois gymnastics.”
The team will be back on March 4 against No. 2 Stanford and Cal in Stanford, Calif. at 6 p.m.
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