An Ode To The 2020 #NCAAMGym Seniors

It all seemed to happen so fast. One day, fans were barred from attending meets and international assignments were called off; the next, the 2020 men’s gymnastics season was scrapped altogether. 

For many gymnasts across the NCAA, the decision — made in an attempt to stall the spread of the novel coronavirus — came as a shock. For others, it’s still sinking in today. The unexpected loss of the latter half of the season ended fans’ chance to see, for example, Stanford defend its NCAA title, Navy break into the upper echelons at Championships, and an intense battle for a Big Ten title play out. It means we won’t crown conference and national champions. It means the seniors who had envisioned peaking at the last meet of their careers will simply have to accept their final season for what it was.

There will be some normalcy, though. We’ll still name a Nissen-Emery Award winner and CGA Gymnast of the Year. Although there won’t be a Championships at which to crown All Americans, the CGA will honor Regular Season All-Americans based on the current rankings.

We at the CGA have spent time since the decision to cancel the season was announced reaching out to seniors across the country. We wanted to gauge their mood and offer our sympathies. But mostly, we wanted to give them a chance to reflect on their careers and how this abrupt ending has affected them. What follows are responses, which have been lightly edited, we received from some of those seniors.

Stanford:

The Cardinal’s six-man senior class played a pivotal role in the team’s 2019 success, and their impact over the course of the 2020 season was no different: They were instrumental in keeping Stanford easily atop the national rankings throughout the year. The six guys — David Jessen, Connor Lewis, Bailey Perez, Joey Ringer, Ben Swartout and Roshan Toopal — were poised to lead one of the deepest lineups in recent NCAA history to their second consecutive NCAA title. They’ll be missed, but their contributions will be long remembered. 

Bailey Perez:

I know everyone is very upset about the abrupt ending to the season. However, it brought about a perspective that made me realize how fortunate I am to be part of NCAA gymnastics. Competing in the NCAA allowed me to be teammates with guys who I will call my brothers forever, get an education from the school of my dreams and do the sport I love. I’m thankful to gymnasts across every program for pushing me over the years and for their friendship, which I’m certain will continue well beyond our gymnastics years. And I’m grateful to my coaches for providing me with the best guidance and development throughout my four years on the team. This season might have been cut short, but I can’t wait to watch Stanford Men’s Gymnastics continue to carry out the legacy we built for years to come. Go Cardinal!

Oklahoma:

Oklahoma’s senior class this year was tasked with reshaping OU gymnastics after the graduation of the 2019 seniors left huge holes in the lineup. Grant Kell, Collyn Kellogg and Tanner Justus did a tremendous job at that. They kept the Sooners in the top-three for most of the season and showed how much leadership can augment what seemed like a depleted lineup.

Grant Kell:

Well, the whole thing has taken a while to set in. For me, it goes beyond just this season ending. It’s my entire career, and the sport I’ve put everything into since before I was 5 years old that really makes it tough. I was looking forward to having the chance to go to NCAAs and salute the judge knowing it would be my last routine, finishing and landing, and giving my coaches and teammates a big hug as I embrace the finality of my career and crossover into retirement gracefully. I had been thinking about what that moment might be like for the past few weeks as we started getting closer to the postseason, and then the news hit and I realized I would never get that opportunity. I’m not an emotional guy, but when the news dropped I burst into tears because I knew the sport that I’ve loved so much and have given my heart to was taken from me just like that. Despite these rough times, I know it’s important to move on and not dwell on this and that’s what I intend to do.

Michigan:

Uche Eke, Mitchell Brown, Parker Chiapuzio, Socrates Gavallas, Mack Lasker, Justin Murphy and Thomas Paul formed the solid group of seniors that led this Michigan team to a breakout season. This team ranked third in the country by average at the abrupt end to the season and were highlighted by their home victory over Oklahoma. This class will no doubt leave a mark at Michigan as they continue on as one of the top teams in the coming years.

Uche eke:

It hurts the most how finally, in my 5th year at Michigan, we have developed a strong team that could battle against Stanford for the NCAA title. I’m also devastated that now I don’t get the chance to beat my teammate T-Paully on high bar at NCAA’s.

Mitchell Brown:

These are crazy times, for sure. Life looks so much different today than it did just a few days ago… Never would I have imagined that a global pandemic would put an end to my gymnastics career, but that is where I find myself, alongside many others, today. I’d like to share something that has been on my heart lately in hopes that it may be an encouragement to others. In the midst of these difficult times, I’ve been really encouraged in thinking about all that gymnastics has given me, rather than focusing on the few short weeks that were taken away. Just a couple weeks ago, during our team Bible study, we each thought about how much of our day-to-day can be traced back to gymnastics. This discussion helped me to realize that the friends I have, the memories I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned, the fact that I am even here at the University of Michigan, etc., can all be traced back to gymnastics - and that is truly crazy to think about. Therefore, although the ending has been abrupt and painful, all I can do is look back on these past 16 years and thank God for all the blessings he has given through this sport. It’s been quite the ride and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Go Blue.

Illinois:

The Fighting Illini were led in 2020 by two of the top event specialists on pommel horse and rings in Michael Paradise and Danny Graham. Paradise finished with a No. 2 ranking in the country on horse while Graham took the No. 1 spot on rings. Sebastian Quiana was also at the helm, competing multiple events over his illustrious career. Quiana made his name known on floor immediately as a freshman. Satchel Hudson will graduate as well after spending this year as a key contributor on rings.

Sebastian quiana:

The ending of the season was short and unexpected. A lot of emotions were felt when I learned the news about the season being cut short and a lot of questions arrived. Would we get another year of eligibility or would this be the end of my gymnastics career was first and foremost. As this is all getting figured out I had a lot of talks with my teammates reminiscing on the times we had throughout my four years here. There were a lot of laughs and I realized that, although unfortunate, this wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. I think a major learning lesson was that nothing is forever and you have to take a step back to take in everything you are going through or else you will have done four years of gymnastics without noticing all the great things you’ve done.

Ohio State:

The Buckeyes’ two seniors, Robert Costea and Michael Chan, helped lead their team up in the rankings throughout the 2020 season. Ohio State started the season ranked No. 9 by the CGA, and by week 9, they were No. 6 and gaining. Costea was solid on horse and rings during 2020 while Chan chipped in regularly on rings and high bar.

Robert Costea:

The outcome of this situation is not the ideal end to my senior season and gymnastics career. To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. On a lighter note, I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to have competed for the Buckeyes these past four years. I am blessed that I have my health and can walk away from the sport without an injury. I want to thank my coaches for developing me into the athlete and person I am today. I want to thank my teammates for always having my back and pushing me to be a better gymnast. I will cherish my time at The Ohio State University and will forever be a Buckeye. Go Bucks!

THANK YOU to our seniors. #GoBucks

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Nebraska:

Jake Bonnay led Nebraska as the lone senior in 2020. The Ontario native’s career included All-America honors on floor and was capped off with a Nissen Emery finalist nod that was announced earlier this year.

Jake Bonnay:

It’s heartbreaking that we won’t get to see how this season will play out, especially for my team. Nebraska was ready to execute and really put some pressure on the rest of the B1G & NCAA. The team was, and still is, hungry to get back on that NCAA podium and win our first ever B1G title. Getting the opportunity to attend and compete for the University of Nebraska was life changing. The lessons I have learned these last four years will stick with me for the rest of my life. Throughout all the ups and downs, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. To be a part of a team that went from being constantly counted out, to underdogs, to a top contender for a championship is truly something special. I’m very excited for the program and where we are headed in the future!

Penn State:

Penn State will graduate a talented group of seniors, along with the below-quoted Brayden Borromeo, to include Isaac Hammett, Stephen Nedoroscik, Favian Valdez and Sam Zakutney. Hammett shined as a rings specialist this season where he was well on his way to being in National Champion contention in April. Nedoroscik was looking for his third NCAA title on pommel horse and will continue to train and compete on the international level well into the future. Zakutney battled injury this season after three years as the Nittany Lions’ standout all-arounder. He will continue to compete for team Canada. Valdez had a great year on pommel horse after a career of fighting through injury, expect him to continue competing as well.

brayden borromeo:

With the way everything ended so suddenly, I was left heart broken. The sport I gave my life to suddenly was just taken away. I was in a very dark place the following days. I am constantly reminded of that dark place by everything I own, everything in my house, everything I do. Everything reminds me of gymnastics and Penn State gymnastics. But, all these same things remind me of the greatest four years of my life. They remind me of the family that I’ve built and all the memories I share with all my teammates. After the announcement that our season was cut short, guys from all four of my years here at Penn State reached out. Some I haven’t seen since my freshman year, yet they still reached out and picked me up even when I was at my lowest. They showed me that this family is stronger than any tough times I may face. I may not have gotten my senior night, I may not have been able to go out and compete for more championships, but I did get the greatest gift of them all: a family I can rely on and trust through the best and worst of times. My time at Penn State and as a collegiate gymnast has shown me that the greatest championship you can earn is a family that will stick with you no matter what.

Iowa:

Mitchell Mandozzi, Nick Merryman and Brandon Wong led the Hawkeyes as seniors in what was a second consecutive year of outperforming expectations. Mandozzi came alive as a standout on vault and was also performing at a high level on high bar. Merryman contributed in all four seasons on PH, SR, PB and HB. Wong spent this final season as a big piece in the rings lineup.

Mitchell Mandozzi:

This season did not end in the way any of us intended. Our head coach, JD, said something that has helped me place my emotions in the right place, “I do take solace in the fact that when they [seniors] recollect the entirety of their career at Iowa, it will be a fondness that ultimately surpasses the singular experience of this unfortunate situation." I challenge the other seniors to not let this crazy situation cloud the great memories and experiences that these great universities have given us. My time at Iowa has allowed me to grow as an athlete and as a person in so many ways. It is impossible to fit it all into one paragraph. Thank you to everyone who has helped me over the years and who have taught me to not give up when life gets tough. Thank you to the gymnastics community for making my time in this sport the greatest experience of my life.

Navy:

The Midshipmen were having a historic season in 2020, and their success came as a result of leadership from five remarkable seniors: Lucas Beltran, Frank Bradley, Cian McConnell, Ryan Orce and Ben Provost. The quintet helped Navy put up a season-high of 410.5 at Cal for what would be their last meet of the season. Navy was on track for their highest NCAA Championships finish in recent history, and that potential was developed thanks to the guidance of these five seniors.

Lucas Beltran:

The decision by the NCAA to cancel all spring competitions was devastating and shocking to say the least. I had my wisdom teeth taken out two weeks ago and therefore missed “my last competition ever” against Cal. I only intended to miss one competition and then return for Senior Night on March 29. Little did I know our dual meet against Ohio State would be my last performance ever. I am still processing the fact that after 16 years of day-in-day out hard work I will: 1. Never compete again and 2. Miss out on Senior Night, USAG Championship, Conference Championships and, ultimately, NCAA Championships. Despite these terrible facts I am now focused on the well-being of my family and making it to graduation. I will never forget the lessons I learned in the sport of gymnastics and I will carry them forward into my life as a Marine Corps Officer. Thank you to all of my family and friends who supported my journey and thank you to my Navy Men’s Gymnastics brothers who stood by my side along the way.

Minnesota:

The Gophers’ lone senior, Timmy Kutyla, was having his best year so far, turning in strong performances on parallel bars and high bar. He finished the year ranked No. 4 and earned a regular season All-American on high bar. A team captain, Kutyla demonstrated a singular ability to rally his young team amid struggles and successes alike. It’s never easy to go through four grueling years as the only member of your class, but Kutyla showed that with enough maturity and dedication, it was possible.

Timmy Kutyla:

I walked into practice, as usual, but I could tell something was off. The Ohio State guys (who had come into the gym to practice) were all making phone calls and Angel Leon asked me if I had heard the news. I walked up to Kostya and I don’t remember much of what he said, but I definitely heard the words, “the season has been cancelled.” I immediately walked to the locker room and started to cry. All I could think about was how ready I felt, and excited, to compete this last half of the season. Knowing how many hours I’ve put into my last season and how much I’ve sacrificed to make my gymnastics the best that it could be, and that it could be ripped away so quickly, just crushed me. I know that I haven’t had that many physical accolades but I knew this was my year to prove to myself that I deserved to be up there.

It’s hard to put into words exactly how I was feeling that day, but it seemed like a really bad dream that I am still struggling to wake up from. Ever since my freshman year, I’ve been looking forward to hosting Big Tens at home for my final season. Our team had so many goals that we weren’t able to accomplish this year, but I know, whatever ends up happening, that this team will never take even a single practice for granted. I’ve felt so much love and support from all of my teammates, alumni, and friends from across the NCAA over this past week that it has made me realize what is really important in all of this. Mostly, I am just so grateful that I was able to represent the University Minnesota for four years, even if it was cut short, and create relationships with my teammates and coaches that will last forever. I couldn’t be more thankful for that.

California:

The Bears are another team with a big senior class whose impact on the team will be felt for years to come. The five seniors — Kyte Crigger, Asad Jooma, Harrison Plate, Anton Vorona and Jonathan Wang — helped Cal put up a season-high 403.1 against Navy for what would turn out to be the last meet of their careers. The Bears are a scrappy team who seemed to be figuring out their flow at just the right time. Filling the spots of these five will be a big challenge for the Bears in 2021.

Kyte Crigger:

It was tough… Having gained so much experience from the past three years of collegiate gymnastics, I had felt the most prepared both mentally and physically for this season's NCAA Championships. I was putting my body on the line, dedicating 110% every day, spending around two hours a day on rehab, treatment and recovery, as well as four hours of practice. All-in-all, I was making sure to put in as much work as I could to ensure not only another All-American spot, but also a feeling that I did everything I could in my last gymnastics season of my life. To have my last season end short put me into tears for multiple days. It was tough not having closure. NCAA Championships is the real deal and is what most of us gymnasts prepare all season to peak for. Not being able to perform the product of all the hard days (where I could have taken my foot off the gas, but I didn’t) was one of the hardest things to cope with. 16 years of love. Gymnastics was my best friend and taught me everything I know from how to treat people to why I am able to work so hard towards something I care about. Having the season end so abruptly now has turned into motivation. It was simply unfinished business. It’s a lesson from God to not take anything for granted and to respectfully treat every situation like it's your last one. It was an unbelievable journey representing Cal on my chest, and I am so excited to see how I can use what I have learned from gymnastics to make a big impact in the world.

Army:

Grant Cullen, Erik Del Cid, Liam O’Hara, Rex Scott, Alejandro Suarez and Darrel Yamamura were the seniors at the helm for Army in 2020. This team was having a great season and well on their way to punching a ticket as a team to NCAA’s in April. The season was highlighted by some prominent home wins over Air Force and William & Mary.

Liam O’Hara:

I feel cheated that my last meet was the last meet of my career and I didn’t even know it. I never got that feeling of competing for the last time. Or doing the last routine of my life, landing, and feeling grateful for the accomplished career I’ve had. What the season ending did teach me is to never take anything for granted. I always appreciated what I had at Army - the coaches, my teammates, our physical trainer, our fans, all of it. And it’s not easy realizing what you have day in and day out, without taking any of it for granted. 

Gymnastics is more than just a sport. It is a way of life. It teaches discipline from an early age. It means going to practice when your friends are all hanging out on a Friday night. Going to practice instead of going to the beach during summer break. Going to practice when you have more schoolwork than time to get it done by class the next day. And if you asked me if I would do it all over again, I’d say yes in a heartbeat.

Army Men’s Gymnastics has taught me to be gritty and never accept anything less than my best. It taught me to care for my family and to always be there for each other. And this will stay with me forever. The relationships I’ve made will last forever. And my love for the sport will exist forever, despite the unexpected and unfortunate ending.

Arizona State:

The Sun Devils have the biggest roster of any team and unsurprisingly the most seniors — 15, to be exact. Those 15 guys helped ASU challenge Penn State in a memorable West Point Open early in the season and show strength in the five-up, five-count format during the Sun Devil Classic. The tenor of the ASU team will be much different without these guys in 2021. Nick Garcia gave the CGA a statement that captures his and some of the feelings of his 14 classmates, who are Andrew Atkeson, Christopher Bartee, Jeffrey Bittner, Will Bughi, Peyton Gaston, Adam Kidd, Bryant Koschene, Kirk Malm, Allan Markham, Richard Marquez, Anthony Mills, Colton Palmer, Caleb Rodriguez and William Sweeten.

Nick Garcia:

Moments like these are tough. Knowing how many athletes that are experiencing this sudden stoppage in our life is just an unfortunate ending to our season, along with our careers. After missing last season due to a torn bicep tendon, this was my comeback that came to a halting end. We all had our story cut short, but I know that my career doesn’t define this last portion of this season I missed out on. Grateful for the opportunity of competing with my team my senior year. Go Devils!

Fire 💥💥

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William & Mary:

The Tribe were rolling when the 2020 season ended, having their best season in recent memory. What was more was the bid they were making to land a spot in the NCAA team prelims. Tim O’Neill, Tomas Palma and Nate Winneg and Zane Petras did a fantastic job putting this team in the position they finished. O’Neill was a powerful floor and vault specialist. Palma struggled with injuries throughout his career but was a powerful force in lineups when healthy. Winneg was a workhorse all-arounder throughout his four years, providing much needed depth for this team. Petras was co-captain for the Tribe, earning the title of ECAC’s Most Improved Gymnast. William & Mary was well served by these seniors who have left them in a great spot moving forward

Nate Winneg:

With my college gymnastics career ending so abruptly, the past week has served as a stark reminder that college gymnastics flies by, and the things we take away from it are the lessons we’ve learned and the communities we’ve become a part of. Gymnastics has taught me how to set goals, work hard, and self-motivate. William & Mary gymnastics has taught me how to work toward collective goals, to lead by example, and to balance my academic and athletic lives. I am grateful to gymnastics and my time at William & Mary for teaching me these skills that I will carry with me forever. I am also grateful to the William & Mary gymnastics community – coaches, current gymnasts and alumni – who have fostered an environment where academics are prioritized alongside athletic success. As I reflect on the end of my gymnastics career, I am so grateful to have been a part of a community that strives to produce great student-athletes, people of character who will take their lessons learned and lead lives of impact.

Air Force:

Air Force does not have any seniors graduating in 2020 and will return their full roster next season.

Springfield:

Nick Cramer, Matthew DeGrandpre, Giancarlo Lawrence, Stephen Lewis, Jeremy Vera and Luke Wilcox will all graduate after the abrupt end to this season. They led Springfield to a great year that included a marquee win over Washington at home. Stephen Lewis will be remembered as a great all-arounder that was constantly putting up big numbers for his team, especially on vault.

Stephen lewis:

The team and I definitely have been working very hard this season on achieving our goals and improving our performance, we did not expect our season to end this way. Though things are out of our control, we still remain strong and support one another throughout these rough times, and we hold our heads high.

Washington:

The Huskies will graduate four seniors. Ben Bloom (top-15 nationally in the AA) and Jacob Jarrett competed all-around and Daniel Gordon was a consistent five-event guy; Conner Petellin was a lineup leader on horse. The seniors played an important role when Washington hit their season high in February when they went 382.9 to come close to defeating Springfield. Here’s what a couple Huskies had to say about the end of the season.

Daniel Gordon:

Mostly I would say I feel disappointed. Nationals is what the season builds to and it's the competition that everyone looks forward to at the beginning of the year. Having my final nationals canceled feels like the season didn't truly end and that I'm ending on a cliffhanger that I know will never be resolved. I fully understand and support the decision to cancel nationals and that right now sports aren't important, but there is no way to not be disappointed with the fact that my gymnastics career came to an abrupt end. Never in a million years would I have expected my gymnastics career to end like this but i know there is nothing I can do and instead I need to move on and be grateful for all the amazing experiences and memories I have from my collegiate gymnastics career. Even though my career is coming to end without full closure, I know that I poured everything I had into the sport and I will treasure everything I've learned and everything I've experienced.

Conner Petellin:

I feel robbed and disappointed with how my gymnastics career ended. No real personal closure with the sport or the team. I’m extremely grateful to have come this far with the sport and the team.

Temple:

Benjamin Ewing, Jackson Heitland, Evan Salters and Tony Warren are the 2020 graduating seniors. They faced the tall task of leading a club team and remaining competitive in the challenging environment of Men’s NCAA Gymnastics.

UIC:

This group of seniors from UIC deserve exceptional recognition, staying on after their program was dropped at the end of 2019. Wes Diveney, James Marden and Michael Peluso were fantastic in leading this group in their first year as a club team.

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