Week 3 Power Rankings & Schedule
Nebraska, Army, and Springfield Leap in the NCAA, Temple in the GymACT
Every week we’ll be releasing a “Power Rankings” that aims to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing at the moment 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 the top teams in each association based on the average individual rankings of three individuals:
Bailey Perez (former Stanford gymnast)
Ben Cooperman (former Penn State gymnast)
Max Soifer (former Washington gymnast)
NCAA
1. Stanford (-)
The reigning National Champions opened up their season with a two tenth loss to Oklahoma. Stanford looked spectacular even with the best gymnast in the country, Brody Malone, on the sidelines. Once Malone, senior national team member, Ian Gunther, and others return to the lineup, the Cardinal will be very difficult to beat.
2. Oklahoma (+1)
Fuzzy Benas is clearly going to be a big part of Oklahoma’s success over the next four years. His arrival has been much anticipated, and his NCAA debut blew expectations out of the water with an 83+ all-around score. Freshman classmate, Raydel Gamboa, also had a breakout day scoring 80+ in the all-around to place third behind fellow Sooner, Zachary Nunez. Senior captain, Vitaly Guimares, only competed on a few events. With full lineups, this Oklahoma team will look to repeat this weekend’s victory over Stanford at NCAAs to take back the crown that has been just out of reach since 2019.
This weekend: Air Force @ Oklahoma Saturday, Jan 22 at 7pm
How to watch: Bally Sports at 7pm CT
3. Nebraska (+1)
After posting a 402.05 at the Rocky Mountain Open this past weekend, the Huskers surpassed Michigan for the number three spot. They showed great strength on floor and high bar, and will look to grow upon their success as they head to Ann Arbor on January 29th for a tough battle against Michigan.
4. Michigan (-2)
Windy City Invitational marked an almost 13 point improvement for Michigan over their week one performance. Paul Juda returned to the lineup on three events while Jacob Moore returned on two. The ceiling for this team is much higher once Juda returns to full form and Cameron Bock enters competition. Despite this, the Wolverines dropped two spots after outstanding performances from Nebraska and OU. The crowded top four may pull away from the rest of the pack in coming weeks.
5. Ohio State (+1)
The early season seems to be rough for many teams and Ohio State took advantage of that. Struggles to get out of the gate by Illinois and Penn State boosted Ohio State one spot in the rankings this week to number five. The Buckeyes will either need to up their game or hope that their Big Ten foes listed above continue to struggle if they want to maintain their spot in the rankings. Justin Ah Chow and Jesse Tyndall will need to make their way into the all-around this season if Ohio State is to put up their strongest lineups.
This weekend: NY Alliance @ Ohio State Saturday, Jan 22 at 7:30pm
How to watch: https://www.bigtenplus.com/en-int/playerpage/1218489
6. Illinois (-1)
The Fighting Illini kicked off their season with a 385.95 at the Windy City Invite last Saturday. After struggling on pommel horse (58.65), they finished the competition in third place behind Michigan and Ohio State. Traditionally, Illinois puts up a strong horse team. Once they figure out their lineup there, they will be fighting to climb back up in the rankings. For their next competition, they will hit the road to take on number seven ranked Penn State on January 29th.
7. Penn State (-)
After a disappointing week one, Penn State bounced back with a 24 point improvement at the West Point Open. This was without their full lineup, most notably missing sophomore Michael Jaroh. With their best roster in uniform, Penn State could find themselves as a top five team. From there, they will need to eliminate the falls if they want to jump into the top four.
This weekend: Penn State, Springfield College, Temple, William & Mary @ Navy (Navy Open) Saturday, Jan 22 at 2pm
How to watch:
8. Navy (+1)
An impressive early season showing out of 391.45 launched Navy one spot over Cal in the rankings this week. Trailing Penn State by just over two points puts Navy in the upper echelon of NCAA gymnastics. In line with Coach Kip Simon’s philosophy, Navy is a true team in which no member matters more than another - most of their lineup competes on two to four events with few single event specialists or all-around competitors. Navy will surely clean up throughout the season and could pose a big threat to some of those teams at the bottom of the Big Ten.
This weekend: Penn State, Springfield College, Temple, William & Mary @ Navy (Navy Open) Saturday, Jan 22 at 2pm
How to watch:
9. Cal (-1)
Cal kicked off the season with a 382.10 against SC United at home this past weekend. Although they walked away with the victory, they drop to number nine in the rankings after Navy posted a big score at the West Point Open. Cal will be looking to improve upon their team score in two weeks as they travel across the Bay for the Stanford Open.
10. Army (+2)
Mathew Davis had yet another fantastic meet, leading his team to a third place finish at the West Point Open. Army was just under three points behind Navy, who they will see multiple times this year. If Davis continues to perform at this level, the Black Knights could capture a victory over their rival.
11. Springfield (+2)
After a terrific opening weekend, the Pride jump two spots in the rankings to number 11. Very quickly, Head Coach Matt Davis’ goal of top ten in the country seems quite attainable. Springfield will look to move even higher as this young team gets more experience under their belt as the season unfolds.
This weekend: Penn State, Springfield College, Temple, William & Mary @ Navy (Navy Open) Saturday, Jan 22 at 2pm
How to watch:
12. William & Mary (-2)
W&M drop two spots in the rankings after posting a 362.40 at the West Point Open, where they fell short of beating both Army and Springfield College. The Tribe will have the chance to redeem themselves this weekend as they face off against the same teams at the Navy Open.
This weekend: Penn State, Springfield College, Temple, William & Mary @ Navy (Navy Open) Saturday, Jan 22 at 2pm
How to watch:
13. Air Force (-2)
Air Force drops two spots after being unable to compete a full lineup at the Rocky Mountain Open. Given difficulties for all teams surrounding COVID, this outcome should be taken with a grain of salt. It will be difficult to make a judgment on the Falcons until they are able to complete a meet from start to finish.
This weekend: Air Force @ Oklahoma Saturday, Jan 22 at 7pm
How to watch: Bally Sports at 7pm CT
GymACT
1. Iowa (-)
In their first competition as a GymACT team, Iowa placed fourth behind three NCAA opponents at the Windy City Invite. Evan Davis and James Friedman will pace this team for the rest of the year and will be contenders to take the all around title at GymACT nationals.
2. Arizona State (-)
The Kiwan Watts era for ASU is over and it is clear that this team misses their star. The return of Jordan Williams, however, is welcomed as he led ASU to a solid season opening score of 375.90. The Sun Devil’s performance at the Rocky Mountain Open was not enough to keep them as the number one seed in the GymACT conference and for the first time in a long time, Scott Barclay’s Sun Devil’s sit in second.
3. Washington (+1)
The Huskies jumped a spot in the rankings over Minnesota after the Golden Gophers only posted a 338.50 this past weekend. Washington’s next competition will be the PAC-12 Invite where they will look to improve upon their 364.90 season high.
4. Minnesota (-1)
With only seven roster members available to compete, Minnesota struggled to keep up with Iowa this past weekend. The highlight for them was Kellen Ryan, who garnered GymACT Gymnast of the Week honors. Ryan will be someone to watch all season as he paces this team in their first year removed from the NCAA.
5. Temple (+3)
Temple had a solid season opening performance to bump up three spots to fifth in the GymACT rankings this week. It seems as though there is a new middle tier within the GymACT in which Temple and Minnesota reside. Struggles on the pommel horse left Temple in a hole at the West Point Open. Adjustments on that event will help Temple move past Minnesota.
This weekend: Penn State, Springfield College, Temple, William & Mary @ Navy (Navy Open) Saturday, Jan 22 at 2pm
How to watch:
6. SC United (+1)
SC United’s 310.90 was enough to overtake UIC for the number six spot. However, they will need some serious improvement to their score if they want to jump up in the rankings. Their next competition will be February 26th at the Sun Devil Classic.
7. UIC (-2)
The Windy City Invite was a bit of a challenge for UIC, especially on high bar, where they were unable to fill a full lineup. Lineup depth will presumably get better for them as the season unfolds and they should be able to challenge for a top five spot in the conference.
8. Northern Illinois (+1)
NIU started their season off by moving up one spot in the rankings this week. Like some of the other GymACT teams, small adjustments throughout the season will have a large impact on their overall score. The new rules requiring an eight skill minimum to make a full routine or incur a three point neutral deduction has proven to be a challenge for NIU to overcome early this year.
9. Rocky Mountain (-3)
Rocky Mountain struggled to put together a full lineup this past weekend resulting in a 241.45. Although they dropped several spots in the rankings, they will have the opportunity to redeem themselves at the Emerald City Classic in two weeks where they will face off against ASU and KC United.
10. KC United (-)
KC United has yet to compete and will kick things off on January 29th when they host the Emerald City Classic.
11. Georgia United (-)
Georgia United will not see any action until February 26th at the Sun Devil Classic.
12. NY Alliance (-)
The season will get under way for NY Alliance this coming Saturday as they travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State.
This weekend: NY Alliance @ Ohio State Saturday, Jan 22 at 7:30pm
How to watch: https://www.bigtenplus.com/en-int/playerpage/1218489