Big Ten Men’s Gymnastics Week 3 Preview: Navy Open clash, Nebraska season debut

Week 3 will see another matchup between Big Ten men’s gymnastics teams at the Navy Open, where Ohio State and Penn State will compete to remain undefeated on the season. Coming off a win at the Windy City Invitational, Michigan will face Army in Ann Arbor. Illinois will travel to Greenville, seeking their first dual meet win of the season. With Stanford and Oklahoma putting up massive scores in their season openers in Week 2, expect teams to show off some upgraded difficulty to stay afloat in the rankings.

#12 Army @ #3 Michigan 

Week 3 Matchup: Saturday, January 20 @ 1 p.m. ET | Army @ Michigan – Live Stats | Video (Big+)

The Wolverines remain undefeated on the season after a comeback victory over Illinois at the Windy City Invitational. Head coach, Yuan Xiao has opted to rest his stars, Paul Juda and Fred Richard, up until this point, assumingly to prioritize their postseason potential and Olympic aspirations. That being said, the world medalists have to get their feet wet at some point, and that point is now. Don’t expect to see the two all-arounders on all six events, but do expect big routines wherever they contribute.

Star power aside, the Wolverines have highlighted their depth in the first two meets as their underclassmen have largely made up their lineups. Watch out for Evgeny Siminiuc and Landen Blixt to take on larger roles as the season continues.

Routines to watch:

• Javier Alfonso’s rings: Alfonso has averaged a 14.9 on rings through the first two weeks of competition. If he can maintain this level of quality throughout the season, he will be the favorite to win the NCAA event title.
• Kyle Walchuk’s pommel horse: Walchuk has looked like a veteran in his first collegiate season, winning the pommel event title in weeks one and two. Walchuk is cementing himself as a mainstay in Michigan’s lineup. 
• Crew Bold’s high bar: Filled with a Cassina, Kolman, and multiple Tkatchevs, Bold’s high bar difficulty can contend with any competitor in the NCAA. Bold has scored 14+ on the event in his first two showings and holds the highest score on the event in the nation with a 14.400.

#4 Illinois @ #9 Greenville

Week 3 Matchup: Saturday, January 20 @ 2 p.m. EST | Illinois @ Greenville – Video (Free)

After nearly clinching back-to-back Windy City Invitational titles, Illinois will face a rising Greenville team in Week 3. Despite the loss, the Fighting Illini posted their highest opening score since 2017. Illinois has greatly improved on high bar from last season and could stand out in the Big Ten on floor and vault. Freshmen Vahe Petrosyan, Preston Ngai, and Alex Tapanes have yet to make their NCAA debuts and could provide invaluable routines to the Illini lineups in the coming weeks.

Routines to watch:

• Brandon Dang’s pommel horse: Illinois already found its Ian Skirkey replacement with Dang. The freshman started his season with an Olympic-level start value of a 6.5. If he can find consistency, he will surely be in contention for the NCAA title. 
• Logan Myers’ high bar: After missing the 2023 season due to injury, Myers has made an immediate impact on one of Illinois’ weaker events. Coming off a 14.1 score and the event title in his season debut, watch out for Myers’ high-flying routine throughout the year.
• Amari Sewell’s vault: Since his days as an Iowa Hawkeye, Sewell’s vault has remained one of the highest in amplitude in the NCAA. A 2023 NCAA All-American on the event, Sewell started his season with a 14.400 and will likely build on the score throughout the season.

#5 Penn State & #6 Ohio State @ Navy Open

Week 3 Matchup: Saturday, January 20 @ 2 p.m. EST | Ohio State, Penn State, Springfield College, William & Mary @ Navy (Navy Open) – Live Stats | Video (YouTube)

Penn State

Penn State has found early season success without heavily using their star competitors, including Josh Karnes, Ian Raubal, Matt Cormier, and Michael Jaroh. They will face a tougher task in Annapolis, where they face the Buckeyes after a win at the West Point Open. This meet will likely come down to consistency and hit routines, which Penn State has proven capable of maintaining thus far in the season. Expect steady growth throughout the season from the Nittany Lions as head coach Randy Jepson brings in his full lineups.

• Akseli Karsikas’ high bar: Karsikas has proven to be a strong high bar competitor in his first two showings for Penn State. Highlighted by a Kolman and Tkatchev sequence, expect 14+ scores from the freshman throughout the season.
• Nathaniel Warren’s rings: Warren was able to score 14+ in back-to-back days at the West Point Open. Highlighted by an Azarian to Maltese, expect to see continued success from the graduate student in Week 3.
• Josh Karnes’ parallel bars: Little needs to be said about the high quality of gymnastics that Karnes brings to the table. Karnes put up the highest parallel bar score so far this season with a 14.9 in Week 1 and could potentially break into the 15 range if he competes this week.

Ohio State

After a shaky opening weekend, the Buckeyes will look to improve upon their 395.000 score in Week 3, where they will face the Nittany Lions and others at the Navy Open. Former junior national team member Chase Davenport-Mills and All-American Caden Spencer were not heavily used in Week 2 against Greenville but could find larger roles in the lineups in Annapolis. If Ohio State finds consistency on pommel horse, the Buckeyes could topple Penn State and quickly become a force to be reckoned with. 

Routines to watch:

• Caden Spencer’s high bar: Spencer sealed a season opening victory for the Buckeyes with a stellar 14.350 score on high bar, winning the event title as well. The All-American looks primed for another successful season.
• Kameron Nelson’s floor: Despite some mistakes in the first meet out, Nelson’s floor remains a highlight to watch due to his massive difficulty. Expect his score to rise as he adjusts to his new routine.
• Donovan Hewitt’s rings: The 2023 All-American opened his final NCAA season with a 13.950 score for another event title. Hewitt’s clean Maltese and straight Planche hold create few opportunities for deductions.

Nebraska @ Rocky Mountain Open

Week 3 Matchup: Saturday, January 20 @ 8 p.m. ET | Nebraska, Oklahoma @ Air Force (Rocky Mountain Open) – Video (Free)

Nebraska will start its season in Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Open where they will face No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 10 Air Force. With the return of Samuel Philips and a star-studded freshman class, the Huskers could make a statement against the Sooners, who put up a 413.600 in Week 1. 

Routines to watch:

• Taylor Christopulos’ vault: The 2023 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, Christopulos has no shortage of skills and events to watch out for, but his strength lies on vault. Christopulos’ explosive Kas 1.5 rarely leaves room for judges to deduct. 
• Cooper Giles’ pommel horse: The 2023 CGA Regular Season All-American on pommel horse is returning for his fifth and final season as a Cornhusker. Giles has been a mainstay in the anchor position for Nebraska and will likely remain one of their highest scores on the event. 
• Zac Tiderman’s high bar: Tiderman was a three-time event title winner and CGA Regular Season All-American on high bar last season. Expect him to pick up where he left off with high-flying Tkatchevs and clean form.