CGA Announces 2017 Preseason Coaches Poll
The 2017 Preseason NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Poll has been announced today by the College Gymnastics Association (CGA). Back-to-back reigning National Champion Oklahoma returns as No. 1 in 2017 with 377 points and 17 first-place votes. Stanford follows Oklahoma as No. 2 in the polls with 377 points and 1 first-place vote. The Cardinal was runner-up in 2016 as they tallied their 10th top-three finish in the past 11 years.
Ohio State enters 2017 ranked No. 3 in the country. The Buckeyes’ bronze finish at the 2016 NCAA Championship was their highest team finish in over ten years.
Minnesota earns the No. 4 preseason ranking as we look to 2017. The Gophers finished sixth at last year’s championship meet, but return 18 of 20 on their roster, including three All-Americans.
The Fighting Illini come in at No. 5 in the preseason poll with 309 points. Illinois placed fourth last season, and return their pommel horse national champion, Brandon Ngai.
Penn State rounds out the top six with 263 points. The Nittany Lions have a nation-leading 12 NCAA titles.
“As the 2017 pre-season preparation phase winds down, and the season is close to starting there is a lot of anticipation among all the NCAA teams this year,” CGA President Mike Burns said. “The battle for the National Title, as well as the top six spots in the NCAA Super Six, will be a real knock down, drag out affair this year as it has been almost every year.”
Fans can follow all the action of the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics season by visiting www.roadtonationals.com where meet results and schedules can be found along with a multitude of team statistics. The CGA website is also part of Road To Nationals and that website can be found at cga.roadtonationals.com or linked directly from the Road To Nationals website.
“With a new Code of Points being instituted by the FIG this year we should be seeing some new looks to the routines out there this season,” Burns said. “These student-athletes have been working hard this fall to put their skills on display, and they are excited to get underway shortly after the first of the new year.”