Editor’s Note: The Daily Illini sports desk sits down on Sunday nights and decides which Illinois athlete or coach is our Illini of the Week. Student-athletes and coaches are evaluated by individual performance and contribution to team success.

Though just a junior, Illinois gymnast Paul Ruggeri has accomplished enough in his career to be considered one of the school’s all-time greats.

For many athletes who are chasing down history, the legacy of their predecessors exists in the form of anecdotal tales, spotty old highlight films and banners hanging in the rafters. But not only has Ruggeri met the man widely considered the greatest Illini gymnast ever, he’s coached by him.

Before Ruggeri’s time, Justin Spring had his share of success as an athlete. Illinois’ associate head coach owns an Olympic bronze medal, was a 12-time All-American and won four individual NCAA titles during his Illini career. In his first year of coaching, he’s already led his team to a Big Ten title and the No. 1 ranking heading into the NCAAs.

But Spring believes that when all is said and done, Ruggeri will topple every accomplishment he had.

“The scary thing is, Paul hasn’t even maxed out his potential yet,” Spring said. “I have no doubt that he will break any kind of record that I’ve set. I would say he’s one of the most talented gymnasts we’ve seen. If he can get this mental component really focused, there’s nothing he can’t do.”

Ruggeri continued building his legend at last weekend’s Big Ten Championships.

He stumbled during the team competition, falling twice during the floor exercise and finishing just fourth in the all-around despite being ranked first in the conference entering the meet. But he turned things around with a hit on pommel horse that helped turn the tide of the meet and spurred the team toward victory and the Big Ten championship.

The junior would rebound even further during Saturday’s individual finals. He qualified on just two events but was able to win both with a nearly flawless vault and a below-average performance on high bar.

“He’s fun to watch out there. He never gives up,” sophomore Tyler Mizoguchi said. “He’s an amazing gymnast and always fights to the end.”

Ruggeri’s ability to win handily with a subpar routine speaks to how dominant he is on the high bar. He’ll be an overwhelming favorite at the NCAA Championships next weekend, where his National Qualifying Average of 15.960 is well ahead of his closest competitor, Michigan’s Thomas Kelley, who comes in with a 15.180.

“No one can touch him on high bar,” Spring said. “When Paul’s on, the team gets the feeling that they know they’re going to win.”

The NCAAs will also be a homecoming of sorts, as Ruggeri will return to his home state of New York and compete just a few hours from where he grew up.

“With a lot of us from the East Coast, I think we’ll all be in a familiar place,” Ruggeri said. “I’ve competed in that gym more than any gym I’ve competed on in the country. I think we’ll be comfortable competing there, and it should definitely be an advantage for us.”

The home crowd will help Ruggeri on the way to his final goal.

“The only thing I don’t have right now is a team NCAA title,” Ruggeri said. “That’s the last goal. I will be fulfilled if that’s the last thing I accomplish.”