247Sports • 2nd June 2024

Isabel Sy cements herself in Illini history books with strong senior season

Last year, Illinois men's golf built upon its dominant run with a 13th Big Ten Championship in the last 14 years. But it wasn't the only program making history on the links.

The women's golf team won a conference championship of its own in 2023. The Fighting Illini finished at 13 over par, shooting an overall score of 865 — the sixth-lowest from a winning team in 54 holes throughout the championship's history.

But this feat was more than just a team accolade: it was the program's first-ever Bi

247Sports • 4th May 2024

After taking career to 'another level', Illini wrestler Edmond Ruth eyes national prize in final season

Three, two, one. The whistle blows. Edmond Ruth walks away from his opponent victorious, clapping three times and yelling emphatically.

He embraces Illinois head coach Mike Poeta. For the first time in his career, Ruth is an All-American.

In late March, Ruth earned crucial victories and placed seventh at the NCAA Championships in his 174-pound weight class. A top-eight finish in his class meant Ruth was the first Fighting Illini to become an All-American at 174 pounds since 2017.

It wasn't th

247Sports • 22nd April 2024

Knowing ‘nothing is guaranteed’, Illini men's golf looks to continue historic run at B1G Championships

URBANA — There's a reason the University of Illinois is often referred to as a "Golf School."

The Illinois men's golf team doesn't just have these accolades to bulk up its prestigious program. It's currently in a stretch that rivals the most dominant in college sports history.

Under the leadership of coach Mike Small, the Fighting Illini have won not just eight straight Big Ten Championships but 13 of the last 14.

Last season, the dominance was at a premium. Led by three All-Americans, Illino

247Sports • 19th April 2024

Illini baseball rides hot bats to stunning turnaround: 'Guys started to quit pouting and start competing'

Illinois baseball came into the 2024 spring season facing a six-year NCAA Tournament drought. Head coach Dan Hartleb believed his players were "determined to come out and play at a championship level."

But after just 15 games into the season, the drought looked likely to continue. The Illini had a 5-10 record, which included losses to Akron, Ball State, Indiana State and a shocking 24-1 loss to No. 8 Tennessee.

"The early season was difficult," Hartleb told Illini Inquirer. "We didn't handle a

247Sports • 5th April 2024

Ribeiro upholding Illini men's gymnastics championship standard: 'I want to know that I created a dynasty'

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois men's gymnastics has been one of the most prestigious programs of all-time. Daniel Ribeiro didn't allow that to change when he took charge.

During his first two seasons as head coach, Ribeiro led the Illini to a third-place finish at the 2023 National Championships and led the Illini this season its first-ever Big Ten regular season title. Not bad after taking over for program legend Justin Spring, who after leading Illinois to the 2012 national championship took an assista

247Sports • 4th March 2024

'That's how you put this team on the map': How Kyprianou led Illini women's track to quick turnaround

CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois women’s track and field team failed to finish above ninth at the Big Ten Indoor Championships for nine straight years. But then Petros Kyprianou arrived.

A two-time national championship-winning director at Georgia, Kyprianou came to Champaign in July 2022 to start a new chapter. In less than two years, Kyprianou gave the Illini women’s program something it had not seen in over a decade: a Big Ten Indoor title.

“That’s how you put this team on the map,” Kyprianou told

247Sports • 16th February 2024

2024 Illinois baseball preview: Illini learn from past mistakes, take new approach into new season

URBANA — Illinois baseball faced many ups and downs in 2023. Two early wins against ranked Southern Miss; close losses to Indiana State, Bradley and Eastern Illinois; head coach Dan Hartleb’s program-record 519th win against Michigan; and twelve Big Ten losses.

When the season drew to a close, Hartleb and Illinois stared at a 27-25 record. It didn’t just mean that the Illini had regressed from a season ago. They also missed the NCAA Tournament once again.

“Obviously, (the) win total was not wh

247Sports • 9th February 2024

2024 Illinois softball preview: After underwhelming season, will the new-look Illini flip the script?

URBANA — A team returning nearly every big piece from its 2022 NCAA tournament season was expected to rise above and beyond in 2023. Instead, it did everything but.

Backed by a loaded pitching staff from 2022 that featured ace Sidney Sickels, All-B1G Freshman Team selection Lauren Wiles and Tori McQueen, head coach Tyra Perry and Illinois softball had their sights set on advancing past the NCAA regionals for the first time in her eight-year tenure.

Despite the high hopes, the Illini finished t