Gymnast Sam Phillips celebrates his first win at his new school with an instantly iconic pose
A post shared by Samuel C. Phillips (@sam_phill)Sam Phillips is making his last one the best one!Even though the gymnastics season doesn’t begin until January, the 6-year vet unofficially started his final campaign with a win this past weekend.
Phillips’ team was victorious at the Orange and Blue intrasquad competition, a tradition for the Illinois Fighting Illini. After four years at Nebraska, Phillips transferred to Illinois for the 2025 season.
His announcement was big news in the gymnastics world, given the scarcity of men’s Division 1 programs. Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.“I’m going to lean into change when they need me to bring my perspective and my context, and I am also going to lean out and go with the flow at times,” Phillips told Inside Gymnastics at the time. “It is going to be a breath of fresh air.”It’s apparent the SoCal native is adjusting to his surroundings.
He’s expressed flippin’ excitement since arriving on campus in September!Over the weekend, Phillips celebrated his first win in style. “Clearly enjoying the new threads,” he wrote, adding orange and blue heart emojis.
