Illinois and Ohio State Claim Weekly Men’s Gymnastics Awards

Gymnast of the Week
Preston Ngai, Illinois
Jr. – Elk Grove, Calif. – Rio Valley Charter School

• Claimed a pair of event titles in Illinois’ tri-meet victories over Greenville and Navy
• Secured the still rings title with a score of 13.750
• Posted a season-high score of 14.350 to win the vault
• Garners his second career Gymnast of the Week award
• Last Illinois Gymnast of the Week: Preston Ngai (April 1, 2025)

Event Specialist of the Week
Parker Thackston, Ohio State
Sr. – Robbinsville, N.J. - Robbinsville

• Won the pommel horse with a score of 15.300, his second consecutive score over 15.000
• Led the Buckeyes to a season-best pommel horse score of 56.550
• Scores his sixth career Event Specialist of the Week award
• Last Ohio State Specialist of the Week: Jesse Pakele (February 3, 2026) 

Freshman of the Week
Lukas Ross, Ohio State
Dayton, Ohio – Dayton Christian

• Earned a career-high 13.450 on the floor to finish second and earn his first career podium finish
• Helped the Buckeyes to their highest floor score of the season (54.100) and highest team score of the year (320.650)
• Scores his first Freshman of the Week honor
• Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: David Ramirez (February 25, 2025)

2026 Big Ten Men’s Gymnasts of the Week
March 2
G: Preston Ngai, ILL
S: Parker Thackston, OSU
F: Lukas Ross, OSU 

Feb. 17
G: Alex Nitache, NEB
S: Charlie Larson, MICH
F: Ty Roderiques, NEB 

Feb. 10
G: Fred Richard, MICH
S: Chase Mondi, NEB
F: Adam Lakomy, MICH 

Feb. 3
G: David Ramirez, OSU
S: Jesse Pakele, OSU
F: Ricky Perez, PSU 

Jan. 27
G: Charlie Larson, MICH
S: Matt Underhill, PSU
F: Shaun Smith, PSU 

Jan. 20
G: Drake Andrews, OSU
S: Aaronson Mansberger, MICH
F: Shaun Smith, PSU 

Jan. 13
G: Matt Underhill, PSU
S: Aaronson Mansberger, MICH
F: Eli Osuna, MICH