Week 5 Power Rankings & Schedule
Each week we’ll be releasing a “Power Rankings” that aims to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing on a week-to-week basis 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 developed utilizing the NCAA coaches’ poll as well as input from major gymnastics publications including, Inside Gymnastics, Gymnastics Now, and Neutral Deductions.
Week 5 Power Rankings:
1. Oklahoma (+1)
2. Stanford (-1)
3. Michigan (-)
4. Illinois (-)
5. Nebraska (-1)
6. Ohio State (-)
7. Penn State (-)
8. Navy (-)
9. Cal (-)
10. Greenville (+2)
11. Air Force (-1)
12. Army (-1)
13. Springfield (-)
14. William & Mary (-)
15. Simpson (-)
Six dual meets took place in week five of the 2024 season marking the beginning of BigTen regular season matchups. While some of these dual meets resulted in expected outcomes, there were some big surprises.
In BigTen action, Michigan (410.35) traveled to Champaign to take on the Illini. Illinois (413.8) upset a higher ranked team for the second week in a row, showing that they refuse to be counted out of the mix. Tate Costa and Brandon Dang showed big performances to carry the Illini, while Fred Richard and Paul Juda carried the baton for Michigan.
In other BigTen action, Penn State and Nebraska went head-to-head. Nebraska came away with the win (406.8) to (403.2). Overall, this was a very even matchup, both teams had a few mistakes and some big performances. Freshmen claimed the rings and vault titles. Penn State’s Luke Esparo on rings (14.0) and Nebraska’s Alex Nitache on vault (14.85). Sam Phillips (80.5) took home the all-around crown. Another notable performance was Zach Tiderman’s high bar (14.45).
ECAC rivalry meets were another theme of the weekend. Army and Navy held their annual battle and Greenville and Simpson took to the mats. As has been the case in recent years, Navy (390.4) handily defeated Army (377.5). We’ll see these two teams go at it again later this season at the All-Academy Championships.
Greenville traveled to Iowa to hand Simpson a defeat. In doing so, both teams scored program records. Greenville’s (392.95) in enough to put them in conversation for the top of the podium at ECACs, and Simpson’s (376.35) makes the Storm a real contender come championship season.
Another exciting matchup from week 5 was Oklahoma vs. Ohio State in Norman. A sellout crowd made the evening a great experience for fans and athletes alike, and the home team remained victorious as the Sooners (411.5) downed the Buckeyes (400.6). Big vaults from freshmen were a theme of the meet. Justin Ciccone (14.95), Max Bereznev (15.0), and Zach Snyder (15.0) all stuck to top the podium.
On the west coast, Cal traveled to Palo Alto for the second weekend in a row and nearly pulled off an upset over Stanford. The Cardinal (392.85) barely defended their home turf as the Bears (391.85) put up their second highest score of the year. Cal’s vault and high bar squads led the charge. Jasper Smith-Gordon (14.7) and Khalen Curry (14.65) finished on top on vault while Theodor Gadderud (14.15) and Darren Wong (14.0) were the best on high bar. Stanford’s Brandon Nguyen did the heavy lifting for Stanford, putting up an all-around total of (79.7).
WEEK 6 SCHEDULE:
*ALL ET TIMES
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9TH
7:30PM: Illinois vs Simpson @ EVO Gymnastics
How to watch: YouTube
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10TH
1:00PM: Nebraska @ Michigan
How to watch: BTN+
3:00PM: California @ Oklahoma
How to watch: ESPN+
4:00PM: Ohio State @ Penn State
How to watch: BTN+
7:00PM: Team USA vs Stanford
How to watch: TBD
8:00PM: Air Force, Army, Navy (All-Academy Championships)
How to watch: TBD
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11TH
1:00PM: William & Mary @ Springfield College
How to watch: YouTube