Thackston Tabbed Big Ten Specialist of the Year, Pakele Sportsmanship Award Honoree

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Big Ten Conference announced its men's gymnastics awards on Wednesday prior to this weekend's Big Ten Championships. Ohio State senior Parker Thackston was tabbed Big Ten Specialist of the Year, while senior Jesse Pakele was named Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Thackston has the second-highest four-score average (14.433) on pommel horse this season and earned CGA regular season All-American honors on the event for the third consecutive season last week. He's the only gymnast in the country to eclipse 15.000 on any event this season and has three scores of 15.300 or better. Thackston won the pommel horse competition with a career-high 15.325 at Winter Cup, securing his place on the men's senior national team. He also owns event titles against Michigan and Army/William & Mary, scoring a 15.300 in each of those meets. The Nissen Emery Award finalist has been named CGA Specialist of the Week twice this season and Big Ten Specialist of the Week as well.

Pakele was named a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch prior to the season and serves as one of the team's two captains. He's also been honored as Big Ten Specialist of the Week and CGA Co-Specialist of the Week this season. Pakele is ranked in the top in the country on floor (10^th, 13.683), rings (11^th, 13.633) and parallel bars (11^th, 13.567). He owns five event titles this season and has been on the podium eight additional times.

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