Every week we’ll release a “Power Rankings,” aiming to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing at the moment. The idea is to try not to focus too much on scores and look more at the current state of the team. The (+) or (-) next to each team’s name relates to how far they rose or fell from last week’s rankings.
This year’s power rankings are an average based off of the individual rankings of five individuals:
- Logan Bradley (former Illinois gymnast)
- Ben Cooperman (former Penn State gymnast)
- Alex Wittenberg (former Minnesota gymnast)
- Andrew Misiolek (former Stanford gymnast)
- Jessica Frankl (CGA gymnastics expert/photographer)
To see a list of each individual’s rankings, scroll all the way to the bottom of this page.
1. Oklahoma Sooners (-)
Oklahoma sailed past Cal and UIC in Berkeley last weekend, putting up a 423.4 and a season-high performance on parallel bars. As a dramatic regular season ends, one thing has been clear: OU, for another year, is the preeminent NCAA gymnastics program. The Sooners are off this weekend, and their next meet is the MPSF Championships on April 6. — Alex Wittenberg
2. Stanford Cardinal (-)
Stanford was off for the second week in a row, resting up for postseason. Just one last dual with Cal this weekend stands between them and the long awaited MPSF Championships, where we finally see the Cardinal face the Sooners. — Ben Cooperman
3. Michigan Wolverines (-)
Despite some of the disappointing losses that Michigan has experienced this year (last weekend against Nebraska), I think it says a lot about their potential/talent-level that they still stick in this No. 3 spot. At the same time, I also think it points to the fact that behind OU and Stanford, no team has really stepped up and given credence to the fact that they’re DEFINITELY a top-three team. Can Michigan finally be that team in the postseason? We’ll see. — Logan Bradley
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers (+2)
Minnesota wrapped up their regular season with a share of the Big Ten title, turning what looked initially to be a mediocre season into a record-setting one. The Gophers seem to be hitting their stride at the right moment — they’ve been solid the last few weeks against the Big Ten opponents they’ve faced. Now, the question is whether Minnesota can use the momentum from their regular-season win to contest for a title at (B1G) championships on April 5. — Alex Wittenberg
5. Illinois Fighting Illini (-1)
A disappointing regular season for the Illini only makes them a more intriguing team to watch come postseason. They are, after all, defending Big Ten tournament champions. The likes of Bobby Baker and Tyson Bull will be replaced by Michael Fletcher and Hamish Carter, amongst others. It is a new look team, but the talent is still there to get the job done. — Ben Cooperman
6. Iowa Hawkeyes (+1)
All it took was the raising of a trophy to bring the Hawkeyes into the top-six. Jokes aside, this team is more than deserving and something tells me that the share of a B1G title isn’t the end of the road for Iowa. A good performance in front of their home crowd at B1G Championships would go a LONG way toward this program taking the next step. — Logan Bradley
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers (+1)
The Huskers had an upset win over Michigan in Lincoln last weekend, foiling the Wolverines’ hopes for an outright win of the Big Ten regular season title while putting up a season-high. That said, it’s still tough to really gauge how good Nebraska is — they’ve lost some they should have won and won some they should have lost. The Huskers are off this weekend. — Alex Wittenberg
8. Penn State Nittany Lions (-3)
Before we count Penn State out after their disappointing 398 in Minnesota, it is important to recognize that they were without Stephen Nedoroscik who was competing internationally. The U.S. National Team member is a three-point swing (on PH) over his replacement. It was still an off day for them regardless as the Nittany Lions have been the most confusing team in the NCAA this year. The question come championship season: are we going to get the dominant 410+ team we have seen? Or the sub-400 calamity? — Ben Cooperman
9. Ohio State Buckeyes (-)
Ohio State’s scores from the last four meets (from earliest to most recent): 413.15, 405.55, 396.4, 406.6. The last number earned them a Senior Night win over rival Illinois, but which of those four scores most closely resembles this Buckeye team? The B1G is all kinds of unpredictable, and OSU might be leading the pack in that category. — Logan Bradley
10. Navy Midshipmen (-)
Navy has become the definitive leader among the academies this season, and last weekend’s 400.6 was another high point for the Midshipmen — it was their best score in the five-up, five-count format. Navy is a favorite to win the USAG Championships on Friday. They’re also expected to make it to the NCAA Championships later in April. — Alex Wittenberg
11. California Golden Bears (-)
The Golden Bears showed some regression this past weekend as they fell back below the 400 mark against OU and UIC. Cal will have one last bout with Stanford this weekend before they gear up for the postseason. — Ben Cooperman
12. Army Black Knights (-)
After closing out the regular season with a pair of 394+ scores, Army was off last weekend. They’ll return to the competition floor at USAG Nationals beginning this evening. — Logan Bradley
13. Air Force Falcons (-)
Air Force finished the regular season with one of their best performances in the five-up, five-count format, scoring a 396 flat, their third-best score all year. Air Force is a highly-capable team, but they’ve let certain struggles, especially those on pommel horse, dictate the success of their season. Still, Air Force has a shot at making NCAA’s. They’ll need another good performance this Friday at USAG Championships. — Alex Wittenberg
14. William & Mary Tribe (-)
The Tribe had this past weekend off and will now head to USAG Nationals to try and make some noise. — Ben Cooperman
15. Arizona State Sun Devils (-)
The Sun Devils haven’t competed since March 9 but will be back in action this weekend with their most important meet of the season, USAG Nationals. — Logan Bradley
16. Washington Huskies (-)
After hitting a peak against Cal a couple weeks ago, Washington went back into the 370 range against Air Force last weekend. With the exception of the Cal meet, at which the Huskies scored a 393.3, Washington’s been consistently scoring in the 370s — high bar and pommel horse in particular have hamstrung them. The Huskies square off against ten other opponents at the USAG Championships this Friday. — Alex Wittenberg
17. Springfield Pride (-)
Springfield did not compete last weekend and we will next see them at USAG Nationals. Stephen Lewis will have a great shot at the all-around title. — Ben Cooperman
18. UIC Flames (-)
The progress has been obvious for UIC throughout the year, and it culminated last weekend with a season-high 370.3 against some stiff competition. Kaleb Booth, Sam Montague and Xan Weaver are some real, young competitors to build around. — Logan Bradley
