The scores in NCAA men's gymnastics are a bit hard to digest this week because so many teams pulled their best competitors out of their lineups, intending for them to save their energies for next weekend's Winter Cup in Las Vegas. This may help explain why Minnesota, for example, posted a higher score than no. 1 Illinois Saturday night.
But the weekend meets did give gymnasts who aren't always in the lineups a chance to show their skills, and many of the indefatigable underclassmen competed anyway.
One constant here is Michigan, which continues to post impressive scores and doesn't seem to be worried about the endurance of stars Chris Cameron and Thomas Kelley, both of whom are on the start list for Winter Cup.
Here's a look at what happened Saturday night in NCAA men's gymnastics:
Stanford vs. Cal @ Stanford: If there was anything to be divined from the Stanford vs. Cal "exhibition" meet Saturday night, it was that Cal, unfortunately, is a team riddled with injuries. While Stanford put at least four men on every event, Cal was only able to do so on pommel horse. The Golden Bears put only one competitor (Steven Lacombe) on rings, and were only willing to risk two (Lacombe and Eric Haeussler and James Kerry) on parallel bars. Stanford rested top talents Alex Buscaglia and Tim Gentry, and Cal's best men only competed on pommel horse.The high scores on floor (15.4) and vault (15.7) came from Stanford freshman Eddie Penev, Cal freshman Donothan Bailey was the best on pommel horse (14.15), Stanford's James Fosco recorded the high on rings (14.7), Stanford's John Martin posted the best score on parallel bars (14.55) and Cal junior Kyle Bunthwong blew the rest of the field away on high bar (15.05). (GoStanford.com)
Minnesota vs. Nebraska, Air Force and Calgary @ Minnesota: Minnesota 350.55, Nebraska 342.4, Air Force 329.8, University of Calgary 302.05. Fun fact: The University of Calgary's mascot is the Dinosaur, meaning that in winning this quad meet, Minnesota triumped over Huskers, Falcons and Dinosaurs, a point that wasn't neglected in the headline of Minnesota's post-meet press release. One Dinosaur at this meet was 2008 Canadian Olympian Nathan Gafuik, who competed on every event except high bar but posted so-so scores. Nebraska's Kyle Shanahan tied Minnesota's Aaron Fortunato for the win on floor (15.2), while Golden Gopher Harris Coleman came through in a big way on pommel horse (15.15). Nebraska's Anthony Ingrelli was the top scorer on rings (14.7), Minnesota's Andre Berry had a huge vault (16.2), Nebraska's John Robinson was the top scorer on parallel bars (14.6) and Calgary's Matt Beiler took home top honors on high bar (14.85). Robinson won the all-around (86.2). (NMNAthletics.com)
Ohio State vs. Illinois @ Ohio State: Illinois 349.7, Ohio State 341.35. Freshman Yoshi Mori continues to make a good impression in NCAA gymnastics. Against Ohio State, Mori won the all-around title (87.4) and nabbed the top spots on parallel bars (14.45) and high bar (15.0). Sophomore Tyler Mizoguchi won floor exercise (15.15) and it was business as usual for junior Daniel Ribeiro on pommel horse (15.45). Like Stanford and Cal, Illinois rested some of its best gymnasts, including junior Paul Ruggeri, currently ranked no. 1 in the all-around. Ohio State's junior captain Brandon Wynn won rings (15.85) and teammate Philip Onorato (FightingIllini.com and OhioStateBuckeyes.com)
Iowa vs. Michigan @ Iowa: Michigan 352.45, Iowa 340.0. Michigan junior Thomas Kelley is coming on strong, winning the all-around (85.9) for the first time this season and taking first on high bar (15.1). Junior Chris Cameron was also highly impressive, winning on rings (15.15), pommel horse (14.95) and floor (15.55). Devan Cote finished first on parallel bars (14.75) and senior Kent Caldwell posted the top score on vault (15.8). (HawkeyeSports.com)
Here's what's happening tonight in NCAA men's competition:
Penn State vs. William & Mary @ Penn State
Temple vs. UIC and Brockport @ Temple
Springfield vs. Army and Navy @ Springfield
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GymExaminer.
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