Feb. 22, 2010

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Junior Daniel Ribeiro (Chestnut Ridge, N.Y./Northern Highlands Regional) was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the first time in his career and newcomer Yoshi Mori (Anaheim, Calif./Irvine) earned his third Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor announced Monday morning by the conference office.

Ribeiro won two event titles in last Saturday's 354.600-345.950 victory at No. 5 Penn State, including his fourth of the season on pommel horse with a season-high score of 15.800. He also placed first on vault, which he competed on for the first time in his collegiate career. His score of 16.150 ranks second in school history under the FIG Open Ended "Code of Points" introduced in 2008.

Mori placed third on pommel horse (13.800) in helping the top-ranked Illini post a season-high score of 354.600 and claim five of six team events. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the meet between the Illini and Nittany Lions this Saturday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. CT.

The Illini return to action Sunday, Feb. 28 at No. 11 UIC at 3 p.m.