For Stanford University, this gymnastics season just got a lot better.
Oh, not that it was bad before. But when you're the defending NCAA champions, it might be that anything less than no. 1 is a bit of a letdown.
Stanford shattered the previous NCAA season high mark set by Oklahoma Saturday night at home. To make things even better for the Cardinal, that sizzling victory came against current no. 1 Michigan. The Wolverines did not even come close.
No. 2 Oklahoma, in the midst of a terrific season for both its men's and women's teams, is the only other school that has come close to 360. It posted 359.35 against no. 6 Minnesota.
Before Saturday, the highest score posted by any team so far this year (aside from the Japanese collegiate all-star team, which scored 358.8 at last week's Pacific Coast Classic) was 356.5, set by Oklahoma against Nebraska on Feb. 13.
Saturday's capsules:
Stanford vs. Michigan @ Stanford: Stanford 361.4, Michigan 352.15. Was this an upset? Stanford has hung out at no. 3 or no. 4 since the second week of NCAA men's competition, while Michigan has been in the top three almost since the season began. So to be beaten by the Cardinal indicates that there are really four teams in contention for this year's NCAA title -- Illinois, Oklahoma, Michigan -- and 2009 NCAA champions Stanford.
Stanford's Tim Gentry was the only gymnast on either team to compete on all six events (87.65), and also won rings (15.7) and vault (16.3). Eddie Penev won floor (15.45), John Martin pommel horse (15.4) and Nick Noone parallel bars (15.35). Alex Buscaglia completed the Stanford sweep on high bar (15.4).
To be fair to Michigan, Saturday was not their best meet of the season. Junior star Chris Cameron, normally a go to guy on every event, did not compete in the all-around. The normally solid Phillip Goldberg missed on pommel horse. Thomas Kelley was not his usual sharp self on high bar. (GoStanford.com)
Minnesota vs. Oklahoma @ Oklahoma: Oklahoma 359.35, Minnesota 344.85. Oklahoma junior Steven Legendre, last year's NCAA all-around champion, picked up his first all-around title of the season, and also won floor (16.1) and parallel bars (14.9). Oklahoma senior Corey English had the best score on pommel horse (14.7), Jake Dalton won vault (16.15), Ian Jackson rings (15.15) and Minnesota senior Aaron Fortunato high bar (14.9). (SoonerSports.com)
Penn State vs. Ohio State @ Ohio State: Ohio State 353.6, Penn State 347.1. Things began well for Penn State on floor, where Nick Grant led a top-three sweep for the Nittany Lions (15.1). Grant also won vault (16.0). Unfortunately for Penn State, Ohio State's Ty Echard won pommel horse (15.55), Brandon Wynn rings (16.0) and Justin Myers parallel bars (14.9). Penn State's Nick Virbitsky finished first on high bar (15.05). (GoPSUSports.com)
Air Force vs. Arizona State @ Arizona State: Air Force 335.9, Arizona State 333.6. Air Force junior Nash Mills had a career night in Arizona, winning the all-around (86.3, career high) and parallel bars (14.9). He also shared first on high bar (13.8). Sophomore teammate Devin Menefee won rings (14.85) and vault (15.8). Other results were not immediately available. (GoAirForceFalcons.com)
Here's what's happening tonight in NCAA men's gymnastics:
Brockport vs. Vermont and Penn State club team @ Brockport
Illinois vs. UIC @ UIC
Army vs. Springfield @ Springfield
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GymExaminer or click the "Subscribe" button above to receive the latest gymnastics news and results via e-mail.
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