Illinois center fielder Kyle Hudson (Matton, Ill.) was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection, second baseman Joe Bonadonna (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), shortstop Brandon Wikoff (Peoria, Ill.) and DH Daniel Webb (Anna, Ill.) were second-team picks and starting pitcher Kevin Manson (Park Ridge, Ill.) was a third-team selection, the conference office announced Tuesday. The five All-Big Ten selections mark Illinois' most since 2005, when eight Illini were honored.
Illinois assistant coach Justin Spring will compete this week at the 2008 Visa U.S. Championships, held May 22-24, in Houston, Texas at Reliant Park. The meet will feature over 40 of the nation's top gymnasts and is the first of two steps toward making the 2008 Olympic team. The championships will also determine the 14-member U.S. national team, which will represent the United States at international competitions throughout the next year.
Freshman left-hander Phil Haig was named Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. Haig tossed a two-hit shutout against Purdue in Saturday's first game, blanking the Boilers, who finished second in the Big Ten standings. The honor marks the third-straight year that Illinois has won the final Pitcher of the Week laurel of the season, with Brian Blomquist grabbing the award in 2006 and Jake Toohey taking it in 2007.