2023 Season Preview & Schedule
Since the Spring of 2019, during Brody Malone’s freshman campaign, Stanford has been the team to beat. There have been a couple of upsets since then, but not at an NCAA Championship competition. The Cardinal are poised to repeat this feat for the fourth year in a row. While Stanford’s dominance will be on display, there will also be a plethora of exciting gymnastics action around the country. Michigan, with reigning NCAA champion Paul Juda and standout freshman Fred Richard are likely to make waves this year. The additions of Greenville and Simpson are also very exciting and should make for some high-quality contests in the ECAC.
This year’s preview will be different than in years past and is based on the 2023 CGA Pre-Season Coaches Poll.
#1 Stanford
This team is a who’s who of current and former USA national team members. Brody Malone’s leadership has proven to produce results over the past 4 seasons. With the addition of Asher Hong this team is likely to be unfazed by any team in the NCAA. Three of the five athletes on the USA world’s team are on the Cardinal roster – Malone, Hong, and Colt Walker. These guys are dominant. The 2023 NCAA title is theirs to lose.
#2 MICHIGAN
If there is any team that can challenge Stanford, it’s Michigan. Ann Arbor is home to the reigning NCAA champion, Paul Juda. Juda is a captain this year and if his leadership is anything like the reliable and consistent gymnastics that we’ve seen from him, then Michigan is in good hands. The Wolverines also picked up Freshmen Fred Richard and Landon Blixt. These two are likely to make waves immediately and will provide the fire power necessary to challenge Stanford.
This weekend: Greenville, Simpson @ Michigan Saturday, January 7 at 1pm
How to watch: BTN+
#3 OKLAHOMA
Mark Williams is not working with the same level of talent that Michigan or Stanford is, but he always gets his team prepared for the moments that count – last year his team edged out Michigan by less than a tenth to place 2nd at NCAAs. The Sooners are gamers. They come ready to put on a strong performance every time they step into the gym. Furthermore, his Sophomore class is highlighted by the dynamic duo of Raydel Gamboa and Fuzzy Benas, both of whom finished in the top 5 in the All-Around at NCAA championships last year and have the ability to repeat performances of that caliber.
#4 NEBRASKA
Nebraska had a strong recruiting haul last fall, and that work is going to pay off during the 2023 season. With strong leadership from guys like Sam Phillips and Taylor Christopulos, and the addition of Toby Liang, this team is on track to put on big performances this season. It’s possible for Nebraska to jump into the top 3 for the first time since 2019. This team has been on the verge of breaking into that top 3 category on a consistent basis and this could be the year in which that happens.
#5 PENN STATE
Penn State is always a strong team and in contention. Last year their supremely strong class of 2025 struggled with consistency, but after a season under their belt this class led by Josh Karnes could be hugely impactful for head coach Randy Jepson. In addition, the Nittany Lions will rely on stalwarts, Matt Cormier and Michael Jaroh to do the heavy lifting.
This weekend: Army @ Penn State Saturday, January 7 at 4pm
How to watch: BTN+
#6 ILLINOIS
Illinois is undergoing significant change. The losses of Hamish Carter and Clay Mason-Stephens adjusts the leadership mix on the team, a team that is now in the hands of captain, Connor McCool. There has also been a major shift in the coaching staff. First year head coach Daniel Ribeiro has taken the reigns and from the looks of it has immense support from his team and athletic department. This year will be a great first test for him as he rings in the Ribeiro era at Illinois.
#7 OHIO STATE
The loss of Jesse Tyndall to graduation will deal a blow to Ohio State, however standout senior Justin Ah Chow is on track to show some big gymnastics this year for the Buckeyes. In addition, Rustam Sharipov’s freshman class is loaded with strong multiple-event guys including All-Star meet vault champion Caden Spencer. Ohio State will need to hit to land in the top half of the big ten - their talent level is more than capable of doing so.
#8 NAVY
This Navy team is very young but loaded with talent. Star sophomore, Isaiah Drake showed great gymnastics last season and is poised to do the same this year. Senior Giovanni Gambatese and Junior Syam Buradagunta will provide the leadership necessary for Navy to break into that elite 6 bracket of NCAA men’s gymnastics. This could be a historic year for Navy. Each year this team seems to get a little bit better while maintaining a very high level of consistency. This could be the year that Navy makes history and breaks into the elite ranks of NCAA men’s gymnastics.
#9 CALIFORNIA
With the return of Darren Wong, we are sure to see a revived Cal team. Over the last few years the Bears have become known for exploiting the code of points and offering a unique style to their gymnastics. A strong senior class will bring the experience and leadership that Cal will need to reclaim their position as a top tier team in the NCAA.
#10 AIR FORCE
Air Force is reliant on their best guy, USA senior development team member Garrett Braunton. We’ve all known that Braunton is capable of incredible gymnastics, but we’ll have to see him hit routines under pressure this year if Air Force wants any shot at taking the All-Academy Championship trophy away from Navy.
#11 ARMY
Army has a strong mix of multiple event athletes including Puerto Rican national team member Miguel Aquino. While Army is not quite as strong as the other academy teams, they are big players in the ECAC and will look to make some big moves in 2023.
This weekend: Army @ Penn State Saturday, January 7 at 4pm
How to watch: BTN+
#12 WILLIAM & MARY
The Tribe has a great mix of experience and young talent, which is bound to play well for head coach Mike Powell this season. Team outcomes this year will be heavily reliant on two, star all-arounders, Aidan Cuy and Christian Marsh. With these two at the helm W&M will push Army throughout the year and might be in the mix at ECAC championships.
#13 SPRINGFIELD
This is going to be a much different year for Springfield College. The 2023 season is the first since 2007 that Springfield will have Division III competition. The addition of Simpson and Greenville will bring some new and welcomed competition for the Pride. The Springfield sophomore class is extremely talented and with a year of competition under their belt we’ll look to them to carry Springfield through the season.
#14 GREENVILLE
This team is young but loaded with talent. Junior National All-Around champion Ryan Barela headlines this Freshman class and will look to carry this team. Another athlete to watch on this team is Ricky Mays, a well-coached Region 3 stalwart with tremendous upside potential. While there are bound to be some growing pains in their first ever season, Greenville still may surprise us with their results. They have two young and passionate coaches in head coach Zach Peters and assistant coach Jake Bonnay. These two are leaders and gymnastics brainiacs. Point being, they know what they are doing and there is a lot to be excited about if you are a Greenville fan.
This weekend: Greenville, Simpson @ Michigan Saturday, January 7 at 1pm
How to watch: BTN+
#15 SIMPSON
This is yet another exciting first year team led by head coach Colin Payne. With Payne’s extensive history as a junior national team coach and assistant coach at the Naval academy, he is well equipped to build this team into a class act. This team is comprised of a solid mix of multiple event athletes and event specialists. No one athlete is going to make or break this team, but together they will undoubtedly put on a show.
This weekend: Greenville, Simpson @ Michigan Saturday, January 7 at 1pm
How to watch: BTN+