Week 9 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.
1. Stanford (+1)
2. Michigan (+2)
3. Illinois (-)
4. Oklahoma (-3)
5. Nebraska (-)
6. Penn State (-)
7. Ohio State (-)
8. Cal (-)
9. Navy (+1)
10. Air Force (-1)
11. Greenville (-)
12. Army (-)
13. Springfield (-)
14. William & Mary (-)
15. Simpson (-)
With Winter Cup behind us and just four more weeks of regular season contests ahead, it is still unclear who the top team in the NCAA is. Three teams have achieved a team score over 416 this year, and four-time defending NCAA team champions, Stanford is not one of them. Greenville is making a huge statement and has crept up the rankings all year. With the regular season winding down its crunch time to get the best possible lineups ready for the post-season.
This past weekend started off with a bang, as Illinois (410.5) defended their turf, taking down William & Mary (374.95) and Simpson (363.05) in commanding fashion. The Illini claimed all of the individual titles including the all-around as well. Amari Sewell impressed with a (14.9) on vault and Brandon Dang claimed the highest score of the evening with a (14.95) on pommel horse.
On Saturday Oklahoma traveled to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan. The Wolverines (416.3) pulled off the upset over the #1 ranked Sooners (409.55). Emre Dodanli snagged another floor title (14.9) followed closely by his first year teammate, Nico Hamilton (14.8). Jack Freeman tied a career high (14.5) to take the high bar title. Michigan claimed the rest of the individual awards. Javier Alfonso was the king of the rings this weekend (15.05) outscoring the next highest scorer by a point. Crew Bold pulled off a massive (14.95) performance to win parallel bars. Paul Juda and Fred Richard both won titles on pommel horse (14.75) and high bar (14.85) respectively.
Springfield (381.65) traveled to Penn State (403.1) and put up a good fight but ultimately, the Nittany Lions dominated. Josh Karnes continued his title collection streak with wins on parallel bars (14.85) and high bar (13.7). Springfield’s Payton Cramer impressed yet again on pommel horse (14.3) to top the field on that event.
William & Mary tested themselves for a post-season run by scheduling back-to-back contests this weekend. The Tribe traveled to Greenville to take on the Panthers. Greenville (391.15) emerged victorious as William & Mary posted a respectable (376.75). Greenville’s Jacob Foster was the star of the show winning two event titles, pommel horse (13.3) and rings (13.15). Logan Watterson dominated on his signature event, vault (14.7). Sam Lee, Ricky Pizem, and Aidan Cuy claimed titles for the Tribe on parallel bars (13.55), high bar (13.0), and the all-around (75.35).
On Sunday Cal hosted Air Force, Nebraska, and Stanford. The Huskers (408.15) gave the Cardinal (410.85) a run for their money while Cal (394.85) and Air Force (386.8) rounded out the field. Nebraska’s Sam Phillips won the all-around (80.2) and Stanford’s Asher Hong claimed two titles, rings (14.85) and vault (14.75). Jeremy Bischoff impressed on high bar (14.4) to win the title by half a point. A highlight for Cal was Tyler Shimizu’s floor title (14.1) and for Air Force Oliver Zavel’s second place finish in the all-around (77.2).
WEEK 10 SCHEDULE:
*ALL EST TIMES
SATURDAY march 9th
1:00PM: Springfield College, William & Mary @ Army
How to watch:
1:00PM: Simpson @ Greenville
How to watch: Virtius
2:00PM: Michigan @ Ohio State
How to watch: BTN+
4:00PM: Stanford @ Air Force
How to watch: Virtius
7:00PM: Navy @ Oklahoma
How to watch: ESPN+; Live Stats
SUNDAY march 10th
2:00PM: Illinois @ Nebraska
How to watch: BTN+; Live Stats