Week 6 Power Rankings & Schedule

 Each week we’ll be releasing a “Power Rankings” that aims to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing on a week-to-week basis and where we see them heading. The (+) or (-) next to each team relates to how far they rose or fell from the week before. 

This year’s Power Rankings are developed utilizing the NCAA coaches’ poll as well as input from major gymnastics publications including, Inside Gymnastics, Gymnastics Now, and Neutral Deductions.

1. Oklahoma (-)

2. Illinois (+2)

3. Stanford (-1)

4. Michigan (-1)

5. Nebraska (-)

6. Penn State (+1)

7. Ohio State (-1)

8. Cal (+1)

9. Air Force (+2)

10. Navy (-2)

11. Greenville (-1)

12. Army (-)

13. Springfield (-)

14. William & Mary (-)

15. Simpson (-)

Oklahoma retained their spot atop the rankings after putting up the second highest score of the season (417.8) to defeat Cal, who broke the 400 mark for the first time this season with a (400.8) performance. Ignacio Yockers continues to impress on the pommel horse as he took the event title with at (15.4) the highest score seen yet this season.

Illinois also come out of the gates swinging to start off the weekend with (416.15) to overtake Simpson (366.1). This was a well-rounded team contest for the illini, highlighted by pommel horse from Brandon Dang (14.95) and rings from Ashton Anaya (14.85).

The All-Academy Championships took place in Dallas this past weekend as well. Air Force (397.25) reclaimed their title from last season over taking Navy (390.1) and Army (381.05). The Falcon’s Eric Upton was the star of the show as he claimed four titles including the All-Around (79.45) crown. Upton’s teammate Patrick Hoopes had a stellar showing on pommel horse (15.2), which only fuels the pommel horse competition this year between himself, Dang, and Yockers.  

Stanford took on a team USA contingent and pulled out a (410.3) in an effort to show that they are not to be counted out this season. Taylor Burkhart and Brandon Nguyen both showed routines on all six events with Burkhart taking the title (83.95) to Nguyen’s (82.1).

In ECAC action, William & Mary (385.05) made their way up to Springfield (397.85) where both teams scored significant season highs indicating a shift from early season to solidly in the heat of the competition cycle. Will Wilson and Sam Kaplan led the charge for the Pride both taking two titles. Kaplan won the all-around crown with a (79.6).

Rounding out the weekend were two BigTen regular season contests between Penn State (407.5) and Ohio State (399.3) in State College. Pommel horse was the king maker of this contest. A rough pommel horse outing for the Buckeyes put them in a hole they were never able to recover from while Penn State had a traditionally consistent pommel horse performance.

The other BigTen contest was between Michigan (407.7) and Nebraska (398.85). Paul Juda was the highlight of this contest, taking home 6 of 7 titles and putting up a massive (86.2) in the all-around.

WEEK 7 SCHEDULE:

*ALL EST TIMES

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17th

1:00PM: Springfield College @ Michigan

How to watch: BTN+ & Virtius

1:00PM: Oklahoma @ Simpson

How to watch: Virtius

2:00PM: Army, Greenville @ Nebraska

How to watch: BTN+

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18TH

3:00PM: California vs William & Mary (Virtual)

How to watch: Virtius

Max Soifer