NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Week 5 Recap: Oklahoma the team to beat, Michigan’s Olympic medalists return
In Week 5 of NCAA men’s gymnastics, Oklahoma cemented itself as the team to beat while Michigan’s duo of Olympic medalists competed together for the first time this season.
The Sooners narrowly held off the Cardinal at home to claim the top team score for the third straight week. Plus, Olympic bronze medalists Fred Richard and Paul Juda both took to the floor for the Wolverines as they handedly defeated Illinois.
Keep reading for a high-level recap of the weekend, including the top scores and other key storylines.
See the latest rankings here. For the master schedule and latest score updates, click here.
Top Scores of the Week
Team
Oklahoma posted a 329.100 for the highest team score for the third week in a row, besting the five-time reigning national champion by 0.250.
The tide seems to be turning in the Sooners’ favor. They hosted the Stanford Cardinal (328.850) and Greenville Panthers (308.800) in McCasland Field House in front of a record-breaking crowd of 2,149 people. Ignacio Yockers claimed the pommels title (14.65), and Emre Dodanli took home the high bar title (13.85).
Asher Hong had himself a day, competing five for the Cardinal and claiming event titles on floor (14.05), rings (14.85), and vault (14.35). Brandon Nguyen claimed the parallel bars title with a 14.1. Nine gymnasts competed all 24 routines for the Cardinal; Hong and Taylor Burkhart combined for 10 of those routines. Greenville ended in third but posted its highest score of the season.
While this meet isn’t necessarily indicative of how nationals will go, especially with potential returns from the likes of Khoi Young (Stanford) and Fuzzy Benas (Oklahoma) on the horizon, it tells us that the Cardinal can be beaten. The Sooners seem to have replaced the Wolverines as the team to watch in Ann Arbor this April.
Individual Leaders
These are the current national leaders, individually, based on 3-score average.
- All-Around: Ian Sandoval (Illinois) – 79.133
- Floor: Kameron Nelson (Ohio State) – 14.183
- Pommel Horse: Patrick Hoopes (Air Force) – 14.817
- Rings: Asher Hong (Stanford) – 14.500
- Vault: Kameron Nelson (Ohio State) – 14.483
- Parallel Bars: Logan McKeown (Michigan) – 14.217
- High Bar: Emre Dodanli (Oklahoma) – 14.033
Fred Richard and Paul Juda take the floor together
Olympic bronze medalists Fred Richard and Paul Juda took the floor together for the Wolverines this weekend, marking the first time the Olympic teammates have competed together since Paris. Richard competed four and took home event titles on floor (14.2) and high bar (14.7) with an impressive but downgraded routine by his standards. After the Illini bested the Wolverines earlier this season at Windy City, the tables turned, and Michigan easily defeated Illinois, 322.100-315.450. This was Michigan’s first score above 320 this season. While impressive, they will need to do more to challenge Stanford and, now, Oklahoma to stand atop the podium at NCAAs.
The loss of Sam Phillips seemed to impact the Illini. With captain Tate Costa having yet to compete, this Illinois squad is not at full strength. Freshman Ian Sandoval has been stepping up since Week 1, having competed all-around in all four meets and putting up a 78.55 this past weekend. A few weeks ago, this team was in a position to challenge the likes of Stanford and Oklahoma and make a case that they deserved to be on the podium. While not out of the equation, a podium finish looks a little harder now; we will watch to see how head coach Daniel Ribeiro and the Illini squad adapt and overcome these challenges.
Ohio State, Penn State earn season highs
The Buckeyes hosted the Nittany Lions this weekend, narrowly defeating them 325.000-323.850. Both squads put up their highest scores of the season. Kameron Nelson was the top performer for Ohio State, taking home the floor (14.15) and vault (14.35) titles. He also competed all-around for the second time this season, scoring a 76.25. Josh Karnes was the top performer for the Nittany Lions, taking home three event titles: pommels (13.8), p-bars (14.35), and high bar (13.9).
Both teams are continually proving that they have what it takes to make NCAA finals and maybe even push for a spot on the podium. Ohio State currently sits third and Penn State fifth, nationally.
It’s important to note that these standings have Nebraska missing because they have yet to compete three meets (that will change next weekend). The Huskers are likely to slot into the fifth spot or higher.
Rest of the NCAA
Army hosted William & Mary, winning 308.550-299.250.
California traveled to Colorado for a head-to-head with Air Force. The Falcons claimed the victory, 313.500-312.350, led by Patrick Hoopes‘ 15.15 on pommels. That was plenty good enough for the event title and is also the highest event score in the NCAA this season.
