Big Ten Men’s Gymnastics Week 2 Preview: Windy City Invitational, West Point Open, and more

The Big Ten men’s gymnastics regular season started with both Michigan and Penn State cruising to commanding victories. Michigan will have much more difficulty securing a victory at the Windy City Invitational, where the Wolverines will face Illinois and Simpson. Penn State is set to face Army again, this time on the road, as the Nittany Lions compete in the West Point Open against Navy, Springfield, and William & Mary as well. Ohio State will welcome Greenville, who claimed two event titles against Michigan. 

Here’s a preview of what’s to come in Week 2.

It’s a Michigan and Illinois showdown at the Windy City Invitational

Michigan

Coming off a win over No. 14 Greenville and No. 15 Simpson, the Wolverines head to Chicago for the Windy City Invitational against Illinois and Simpson on Saturday, January 13. Michigan looked strong in its season opener, with a 404.900 team score without Paul Juda and Fred Richard in the lineup. Michigan’s freshman class made an impact on every event, highlighted by Kyle Walchuk, who claimed the pommel horse event title with a 14.3 in his NCAA debut. Michigan will try to continue its success in Chicago, where they fell to the Fighting Illini in 2023. 

Routines to watch:

• Javier Alfonso’s rings. The All-American debuted an upgraded 6.0 start value routine on rings in the season opener, scoring a 14.7. If he can match his execution from the prior season, Alfonso could contend with Illinois’ Ashton Anaya for the NCAA title.
• David Wolma’s vault. Wolma has become a stick machine on vault through his first two NCAA seasnos. This continued at home last weekend, where he stuck his Kas 1.5 to score a 14.7.
• Crew Bold’s high bar. Bold is the perfect description of Bold’s high bar routine, which includes a Cassina, Kolman, and multiple Taks. With him in the lineup, and Juda and Richard soon to return, the Wolverines will have one of the best high bar teams in the country.

Illinois

The Fighting Illini will start their season in Chicago, where they were able to beat both Michigan and Ohio State in 2023. Illinois will have to bring its A-game to repeat as Windy City Invitational champions. Headed by All-American Connor McCool and NCAA still rings champion Ashton Anaya, expect to see multiple competition-shifting routines from the Illini. 

Routines to watch:

• Connor McCool’s floor. Following a dominant 2023 season on floor, McCool is primed to start his final NCAA season in dominant fashion. Look out for a triple-double mount as a potential upgrade to his 6.0+ start value routine. 
• Ashton Anaya’s rings. To no one’s surprise, Anaya’s ring set will remain a highlight to watch throughout the season. He cleanly executes Olympic-level strength skills.
• Brandon Dang’s pommel horse. On Day 1 of Winter Cup last year, Dang posted a start value of 6.3 with a final score of 14.466. With another year under his belt, expect Dang’s pommel horse routine to fill the void of 2023 NCAA champoin Ian Skirkey.

Penn State facing Army once more – this time at the West Point Open

The Nittany Lions began their season with a win over Army at home, 393.800 to 370.450. Look for Penn State to build upon its score when Matt Cormier, Michael Jaroh, and Caleb Melton return to their full events. The team will once again face Army, Navy, Springfield & William & Mary in West Point on Friday, January 12 for the West Point Open.

CGA All-Stars parallel bars champion and MVP Josh Karnes dominated the Nittany Lions’ last outing with three event titles, highlighted by a 14.9 on parallel bars. Freshmen Landon Simpson and Luke Esparo were also event winners in their first NCAA competition on pommel horse and rings, respectively.

Routines to watch:

• Josh Karnes’ parallel bars and high bar. Karnes, who needs no introduction, dominated on parallel bars and high bar in the season opener with scores of 14.9 and 14.05, respectively. With his all-around potential, Karnes could be crafting an MVP season.
• Ian Raubal’s high bar. The Swiss gymnast’s set includes multiple Tak variations, floaty releases, and a stalder 1.5 turn.

Ohio State opens season against rising Greenville squad

Following their alumni exhibition, the Buckeyes are set to start their season against Greenville at home on Saturday, January 13. Both Kameron Nelson and Parker Thackston, who were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch in the preseason, could debut 6.0+ start value routines on their respective events. 

Routines to watch:

• Kameron Nelson’s floor. Nelson has a rare Liukin (triple back) in his arsenal, but according to a comment on Instagram, he’s saving that for U.S. elite meets and, maybe, the NCAA Championships. Still, the All-American on floor, vault, and in the all-around is worth watching on this event and others and has the potential to compete for NCAA titles and U.S. and international medals.
• Parker Thackston’s pommel horse. Thackston has showcased a 6.0+ pommel horse set including intricate flop sequences, travels, and a full Kehre, which upgrades his stellar routine from last season. A set like that will contend for postseason accolades if he can be consistent.
• Donovan Hewitt’s still rings. Following a podium finish on rings (14.6) at the 2023 NCAA Championships, Hewitt is once again in the mix for an NCAA title in his final season with the Buckeyes. As Hewitt continues to try to up his start value, expect to see new strength skills added to his already impressive routine.

Nebraska

The Cornhuskers don’t start their season until January 20, when they travel to Air Force for the Rocky Mountain Open. There, they’ll also face Oklahoma. Last season, Nebraska finished third behind Stanford and Oklahoma. Expect to see a star-studded freshman class have an immediate impact in the Huskers’ first meet.