2023 Conference Championships Preview
Toss up in the B1G, Reigning Champion Dynamic in the ECAC, and Duel for the MPSF Crown
Each conference has a different dynamic this year. In the MPSF, Stanford was the favorite coming into the season but were beaten by the Sooners who will put up another fight at the MPSF Championships. In the B1G Michigan is the favorite, but they are beatable this year especially as Illinois makes a late season surge. The ECAC is controlled by the Naval Academy. However, this season has been characterized by unpredictability and anything could happen at any of these championships.
Big Ten Championships (Columbus, OH)
WHEN: Friday, March 31st at 8pm ET (Team & AA Finals) & Saturday, April 1st at 8pm ET (Event Finals)
HOW TO WATCH: Big Ten Network
This year’s Big Ten Championships at Ohio State are completely up in the air. Each team in this conference has had really strong performances as well as some surprisingly weak showings. It is truly anyone’s trophy to take. That being said, Michigan is still the favorite to win.
The All-Around competition will be tight as well. Fred Richard of Michigan is an early favorite for this title, but each team in the B1G has a contender. Penn State’s national team member, Josh Karnes could put up a fight as well as Nebraska’s newly minted national team member, Taylor Christopoulos.
ECAC Championships (Annapolis, MD)
WHEN: Saturday, April 1st at 2pm ET
HOW TO WATCH: Team Facebook Streams
Navy is the clear favorite to win this year’s ECAC title. However a couple teams may put up a fight that may threaten Navy’s reign over the ECAC. Army and Springfield have both shown a lot of premise recently and may be able to give Navy a run for their money.
In the All-Around there are a ton of big names who have had really strong seasons. William & Mary’s Aidan Cuy is coming off of a win at the USAG Championships and Springfield’s Domonic Romalho finished just behind Cuy. This dynamic could be a precursor to the All-Around competition at ECAC’s. Navy’s Isaiah Drake will also likely contend. It is never a good idea to leave out a Sr. Development National Team member from the list of contenders.
The ECAC has also welcomed the Greenville Panthers and the Simpson Storm to the mix this year, which will add to the energy and excitement of the competition. Greenville has been particularly impressive putting up scores this season that could challenge for a podium spot at ECACs.
MPSF Championships (Colorado Springs, CO)
WHEN: Saturday, April 1st at 6pm ET
HOW TO WATCH: Air Force Live Stream; Live Stats
For the last 3 seasons, Stanford has come in as the favorite at the beginning of the season, and ended the season at the top - barring the COVID year of 2020, of course. However, the Cardinal have not been entirely dominant even with the most star studded squad in the MPSF. Oklahoma has taken down the Cardinal on multiple occasions throughout this time, including at MPSFs in 2021. This year, Oklahoma has a real chance to challenge Stanford for the conference crown.
While injury reports are not widespread in gymnastics, we know that some of the strongest athletes on both squads have been nursing injuries throughout this season, or have not competed much for external reasons.
For Stanford, World championship team member Colt Walker has been out all year and World Champion Brody Malone sustained an injury while competing abroad for team USA in early March. We are unsure if either will make an appearance at MPSFs, but these two athletes are huge factors of success for the Cardinal. Without this duo, Stanford will have to rely on depth. Fortunately the Cardinal roster is loaded with talent.
Oklahoma is in a similar situation. Sooner Sophomore duo Fuzzy Benas and Raydel Gamboa have seen very little action. Without these two at the top of their game taking down Stanford will be an uphill battle. That being said, the Sooners always come into the postseason well prepared and will undoubtedly put Stanford to the test.