2024 ECAC Men’s Gymnastics Preview: Navy’s road to 6th straight conference title won’t be easy

The trajectory of the ECAC men’s gymnastics conference shot way up last year when two schools, Greenville and Simpson, added NCAA teams. The increase from four to six teams has certainly had a positive impact on the level of gymnastics in the conference, and this season could see some new names emerge as ECAC and NCAA standouts.

Navy has won the past five conference titles in a row, but that sixth title will prove to be a challenge with the strength of all six teams across the board this year. The 2024 ECAC Men’s Gymnastics Championships will be held at Springfield on April 6, but between now and then, we’re in for a treat.

Here’s a preview of all six teams, including key contributors, newcomers, losses, and matchups to lookout for:

Navy

Coming in ranked No. 1 in the ECAC preseason poll, Navy is once again the team to beat in the conference. The Midshipmen are returning their top four contributors from last season and welcome a strong freshman class that will immediately impact lineups. Expect junior standout and reigning ECAC all-around champion Isaiah Drake to continue to be one of the team’s greatest assets across the board, but especially on vault, floor, and parallel bars. Navy is also looking to replace key routines from graduating seniors Giovanni Gambatese and Connor Van Loo but should have plenty of options with four freshmen. The Midshipmen begin their season at Army for the West Point Open on January 12.

• Key Contributors: Syam Buradagunta, Isaiah Drake, Matthew Petros, Danilo Viciana
• Key Newcomers: Julian Galvez, Daniel Gurevich, Brian Solomon
• Key Losses: Giovanni Gambatese, Connor Van Loo
• Potential X-Factors: William Champagne, Ian Dinmore, Erik Engelke, Caleb Hickey
• Big Match-Ups: Navy Open vs. Penn State, Springfield, William & Mary, and Ohio State on January 20

Springfield

Close behind at No. 2, Springfield is looking to challenge Navy for the top spot in the ECAC this season. Consistent all-arounders Sam Kaplan and Dominic Ramalho will look to continue leading the team this year but will be challenged by several impressive freshmen that have been added to the roster. Notably, 2023 Level 10 national pommel horse champion Peyton Cramer and high bar champion Jojo Motoki are expected to make an immediate impact and challenge for spots in those lineups. Fans will get a first look at this Springfield team on January 12 when they compete at the West Point Open.

• Key Contributors: Owen Carney, Sam Kaplan, Felix Kriedemann, Dominic Ramalho
• Key Newcomers: Peyton Cramer, Gio Mantia, Jojo Motoki, Joshua Szitanko
• Key Losses: Andrae Butler, Colton O’Brien, Jakarie Williams
• Potential X-Factors: Tyler Beekman, Carter Cochardo, Jaden Laubstein, Will Wilson
• Big Match-Ups: Springfield at Army on January 27

Army

After a fourth-place finish at last year’s ECAC Championships, Army is beginning this season ranked No. 3 in the conference. The Black Knights are losing a total of 10 consistent routines from the previous season, so they will be relying on some new names to be introduced to the lineups, particularly on floor, rings, and high bar. Six freshmen and seven sophomores make up a group of underclassmen with the ability to shape the Army program this year and for years to come. Sophomore Maddox Pabellon is one of those underclassmen who has already made waves, earning ECAC rookie and specialist of the year nods last season after a standout season on pommel horse. Juniors Joseph Buselmeier and Gabe Almeida lead the team in the all-around. The Black Knights start their season at Penn State on January 5.

• Key Contributors: Gabe Almeida, Joseph Buselmeier, Maddox Pabellon, Johnathan Pinc
• Key Newcomers: Jaden Blank, Jacob Brenner, Noah Duran, Nick Lester
• Key Losses: Patrick Armstrong, Corban Barstow, Kalvin Kingshill, Jacob Nauman
• Potential X-Factors: Carter Beck, Blaze Kennedy, Franco Peirano, Zachary Perez
• Big Match-Ups: All-Academy Championships vs. Air Force and Navy on February 10

William & Mary

Sitting at No. 4 in the preseason poll, William & Mary will need to fill the hole left by Nissen-Emery Award finalist and two-time reigning ECAC rings champion Christian Marsh. Luckily for the Tribe, they are welcoming a consistent group of all-arounders who should fill in the gaps on many events. Along with that, graduate student and returning USAG Collegiate National all-around champion Aidan Cuy returns for one final season. The Tribe begin their season at the West Point Open on January 12.

• Key Contributors: Aidan Cuy, Mark Fu, Ricky Pizem, Evan Sikra
• Key Newcomers: Niko Greenly, Jared Noyman, Gavin Zborowski
• Key Losses: Connor Bowman, Christian Marsh
• Potential X-Factors: Will Harrington, Alek Kuzmenchuk, Zachary Patrick, Trenton Peazant
• Big Match-Ups: William & Mary and Springfield at Army on March 9

Greenville

Greenville had an excellent inaugural season in 2023, qualifying eight athletes to the NCAA Championships and seeing. The Panthers are looking to build on that momentum in 2024. A two-time All-ECAC team member in his freshman season, Ricky Mays is poised to defend his conference vault title. 2022 Level 10 all-around champion Aiden Nielson and pommel horse champion Landon Benas, brother of Oklahoma’s Fuzzy, are freshmen to keep an eye on. Greenville begins its season at Michigan on January 6.

• Key Contributors: Ryan Barela, Jacob Foster, Ricky Mays
• Key Newcomers: Landon Benas, Andres Esquivel-Garza, Aiden Nielson, Matthew Roth
• Key Losses: Aaron Chandler, Thomas Hoagland, Marco Valencia
• Potential X-Factors: Major Bain, Koby Cantu, Zach Connelly, Ethan Poole
• Big Match-Ups: William & Mary at Greenville on March 2

Simpson

Despite being ranked at the bottom of the ECAC in the preseason poll, Simpson is shaping up for an even stronger second season after qualifying three individuals to the NCAA Championships: Sterling Pariza, Michelangelo Villani, and Alex Catchpole. The Storm are returning every member of their team from the previous season while also welcoming a large group of 12 freshmen, many of whom are coming off successful performances at the 2023 Development Program National Championships. Simpson’s first test of its newfound depth will be against the reigning Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines and Greenville Panthers on January 6.

• Key Contributors: Sterling Pariza, Milo Staley, Michelangelo Villani
• Key Newcomers: Cody Midboe, Brian Rollison, Tristan Shorey, Jake Smith
• Key Losses: N/A
• Potential X-Factors: Camden Bontempo, Alex Catchpole, Christopher Duane
• Big Match-Ups: Simpson at Greenville on March 9