Erkki in the national team, for the first time in seven years

LOUISVILLE, KY Graduate student Ian Skirkey finished first on the bomb horse, making him the first current Illini to make the US senior national team since 2016, when Paul Ruggeri and CJ Maestras made the team.

“What a magical weekend Ian Skirkey,” head coach Daniel Ribeiro said. “He has worked the last five years harder than anyone in his field, slowly building up to this moment. He absolutely dominated the competition this weekend and earned a well-deserved spot on the USSenior national team.”

Dude Illini Connor McCool placed third on floor when Michael Fletcher third in the vault. Former Illini Alex Diab placed first in halter rings and future Illini Brandon Dang placed fourth in pommel horse. Vahe Petrosyan was injured and could not compete.

The past, present and future Illini competed on two separate days, with each day’s scores tallied.

In her first appearance, Skirkey scored a 14.972 and then a 15.972 on the second day, breaking her own record for the highest score in program history.

McCool also had stellar performances securing 13.803 and 13.843 on floor and 14.150 and 13.450 on vault.

Fletcher recorded 14.450 and 13.900 on vault, while Diab scored 12.900 and 13.500 on still rings. Dang scored an impressive 14.466 and 13.307.

A total of eight medals were earned by current, former and future Illini from the Winter Cup and Elite Team Cup, a junior event running at the same time.

“This was an incredible weekend for the Illini past, present and future,” Ribeiro said. “Five gold, one silver and two bronze medals were earned among the top 48 gymnasts in the United States! I couldn’t be more excited for the future of gymnastics in Illinois.”

The team will be back on March 4 against Stanford and Cal in Stanford, Calif. at 6 p.m.