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 (-)
Yul Moldauer was out in Greensboro making history while his team was at home with the weekend off. The Sooners are back home this Saturday against Illinois, who’s coming off of a huge win over Stanford and Minnesota. —Alex Wittenberg
2. Stanford Cardinal (-)
The pressure was on Stanford to perform at Illinois in their first competition of the season outside of the West Coast. It was not the result they were looking for, but coming within two points of a talented Illinois team is impressive. The Cardinal proved they are a legitimate 410+ team regardless of location. — Ben Cooperman
3. Michigan Wolverines (-)
Michigan did not compete this weekend and will need to be on their game at home against Iowa to remain ahead of a surging Illini team. — Logan Bradley
4. Illinois Fighting Illini (-)
In upsetting Stanford and beating Big Ten rival Minnesota, the Fighting Illini last Saturday showed they can take on the best of the best this season. But can they do the unthinkable and beat OU in Norman this Saturday? It isn’t likely, but even getting close would bode well for their chances against Michigan, the Illini’s biggest Big Ten rival at the moment, who put up a poor challenge to OU in Norman a few weeks ago. — Alex Wittenberg
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (+1)
Yet another up and down meet for Penn State resulted in their first Big Ten loss of the season. This defeat sets the stage for an enticing competition March 16th when Illinois and Michigan come to State College, Pennsylvania to wrap up the season. Led by Sam Zakutney, who put up another monster all-around performance this past weekend, Penn State still has a shot at the regular season trophy if they can find a way to beat the Wolverines and Fighting Illini. — Ben Cooperman
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers (-1)
We’re over halfway through the season and I still don’t have a good feel for this Minnesota team. It’s a talented bunch, no doubt. One that has B1G-winning potential. We just might learn a little bit more as the Gophers travel to the proverbial Wild Wild West of judging, Columbus, this weekend. — Logan Bradley
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers (-)
After big wins over Illinois and Minnesota, Nebraska’s momentum sputtered out against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Huskers fell to Iowa 406.7-403.55 last Saturday. There were still highlights, though — freshman Charlie Giles, Anton Stephenson and Jake Bonnay each had a good showing. Now coming off of a loss, Nebraska faces a challenge this Friday in Columbus against Minnesota and Ohio State. Minnesota is reeling from a disappointing showing of their own, and Ohio is riding a high after having their best meet of the season by over 10 points. Every routine will matter on Friday. — Alex Wittenberg
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (+1)
The Buckeyes coming in this far down the list after becoming just the fifth team to go 413+ this season may seem puzzling. Even more shocking than that, Ohio State shattered their previous season high by over 10 points. While this team is looking more refined than earlier in the season, the misleading score they put up this past weekend was courtesy of some inexplicably lenient judging. — Ben Cooperman
9. Iowa Hawkeyes (-1)
A B1G upset and Iowa drops in the power rankings? What a cruel world. Truthfully, there is a good case to be made for Iowa leapfrogging Ohio State in these rankings, and as you can see by the the voting (see bottom of page), they’re awfully close. In reality, there’s an argument to be made that the Hawkeyes should be as high as No. 6. Very excited to see what they can do the rest of the way. — Logan Bradley
10. California Golden Bears (-)
Cal didn’t compete last weekend. The Golden Bears are up against Washington on Sunday. —Alex Wittenberg
11. Navy Midshipmen (-)
It was a busy weekend for the Mids as they traveled to both William & Mary and Springfield. The first competition went well as they broke back above the 400 mark. The second meet was a different story as they posted their worst team score of the season. Navy will look to bounce back to their winning ways as they head out to warm weather Arizona this weekend. — Ben Cooperman
12. Army Black Knights (-)
Colorado was unkind to the Black Knights last weekend, but despite that, Army still remains ahead of the Falcons in this week’s power rankings. We know full-well what Cole Casanova and Matthew Davis can do…what about the rest of the team? If those two can get some support, Army will easily find themselves competing as a team at NCAA’s. — Logan Bradley
13. Air Force Falcons (-)
Air Force had a big upset over Army last Saturday, taking down the Black Knights 394.25-389.95. They get to go against another military rival this Saturday, when they’re set to face Navy, Nor Cal United, Penn State and Arizona State in Tempe. — Alex Wittenberg
14. William & Mary Tribe (+1)
The Tribe has been on a stellar run resulting in a jump over a talented Sun Devil team. William & Mary will head to the Windy City this weekend as they look to continue their 390+ streak. — Ben Cooperman
15. Arizona State Sun Devils (-1)
Arizona State was off last weekend but will pick things back up on Saturday with a big home meet against Penn State, Navy, Air Force and NorCal United. — Logan Bradley
16. Springfield Pride (-)
Springfield suffered a tough-fought loss to Navy on Sunday. Highlights for the No. 16 team included Stephen Lewis’s all-around performance and the team’s showing on rings and p-bars. Springfield will face Army in West Point on Saturday. — Alex Wittenberg
17. Washington Huskies (-)
Washington did not compete last weekend and will be facing Cal in their second and final home competition of the year this Sunday. — Ben Cooperman
18. UIC Flames (-)
UIC didn’t compete last weekend but will welcome ECAC rival, William & Mary, to Chicago on Sunday. — Logan Bradley
