Illinois and Ohio State Collect Men’s Gymnastics Weekly Awards

Illini’s Sandoval and Buckeyes’ Thackston claim weekly honors

Gymnast & Freshman of the Week
Ian Sandoval, Illinois
Fr. – Frisco, Texas – Texas Connections Academy

Claimed three event wins, as Illinois topped Nebraska
Won the floor exercise (13.600), parallel bars (13.500), and overall titles (79.250)
Scored career highs in the floor exercise, parallel bars, and high bar (13.050)
Garners his first Gymnast and Freshman of the Week awards
Last Illinois Gymnast of the Week: Sam Phillips (January 21, 2025)
Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: Brandon Dang (February 26, 2024)

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

Posted a winning score of 14.500 on the pommel horse in the Buckeyes’ meet against No. 1 Oklahoma
Scored his fourth pommel horse win in as many meets this season
Earns his fourth career Event Specialist of the Week honor and second of the season
Last Ohio State Specialist of the Week: Parker Thackston (Jan. 14, 2025)

2025 Big Ten Men’s Gymnasts of the Week

Feb. 4
G: Ian Sandoval, ILL
S: Parker Thackston, OSU
F: Ian Sandoval, ILL

Jan. 28
G: Kameron Nelson, OSU
S: Matt Underhill, PSU
F: Carson Eshleman, MICH

Jan. 21
G: Sam Phillips, ILL
G: Caden Spencer, OSU
S: Brandon Dang, ILL
F: Aaronson Mansberger, MICH

Jan. 14
G: Kameron Nelson, OSU
S: Parker Thackston, OSU
F: Tyler Burgess, OSU