© Penn State Athletics
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 16, 2009 – The University of California – Berkeley, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Ohio State University, University of Oklahoma and Stanford University posted the top team scores in the National Qualifier to advance to the team finals of the 2009 National Collegiate Men’s Gymnastics Championships held at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The team and all-around finals are Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. Individual event finals are on Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
The National Qualifier had two sessions, and the top three-scoring teams in each session advanced to the team finals. The top six all-around gymnasts (three from each session) who are not members of a qualified team and the top six gymnasts for each apparatus (three from each session) who are not selected as part of a team or the all-around also advance to the championships. For a complete list of teams and gymnasts advancing to the final rounds, please go to ncaa.com.
Stanford posted the top team score for the afternoon session of the National Qualifier at 361.100. The Wolverines finished with 358.300 points to take second ahead of the Golden Bears, who posted a team score of 357.550.
“We were pleased with how we performed,” said Thom Glielmi, Stanford’s head coach. “Our guys were pretty relaxed. We wanted to come in and get the first meet under our belt and we did that. We have room to improve and plan to keep getting better as we continue in this competition.”
In the evening session, the University of Oklahoma had the highest team score with 360.950 points. The University of Illinois was second in the rankings at 359.300, followed by Ohio State University with 354.300.
“It feels good to advance, and we’re happy with it,” said Mark Williams, Oklahoma’s head coach. “Most of our guys have been to the team finals before; today was kind of a warm up. We have to get on a roll tomorrow. I know we’re a capable team, and we can compete with any of the other ones that are here. It’s going to come down to who has the better night.”
In session one, Casey Sandy of Pennsylvania State University finished atop the all-around rankings with 90.500 points. Cal’s Glen Ishino and Kyson Bunthuwong had the second and third highest scores. Also advancing to the all-around finals are the University of Nebraska’s Kyle Shanahan, who finished with 85.100 points, and Penn State’s Noam Shaham, who scored 84.800 points, along with the top all-arounders from the advancing teams.
For session two, Illinois’ Paul Ruggeri led the all-around with a total score of 90.450. Oklahoma’s Steven Legendre and Ohio State’s Jake Bateman posted the second and third best scores, respectively, in the all-around. Also advancing to the all-around finals are Aaron Fortunato of the University of Minnesota, Andrew Stover of the University of Illinois – Chicago, and the University of Iowa’s Jonathan Buese.
Stanford dominated the afternoon session. The Cardinals recorded the top three scores on vault, including a 16.250 by Josh Dixon that was the lone score of 16 or better on any apparatus. Dixon also had the high score for the floor exercise, while teammate Tim Gentry finished at the top on the still rings.
The Cardinals also scored well as a team, posting the highest totals of the afternoon on floor, rings and high bar in addition to the vault. Michigan put up the highest team score on pommel horse, while Cal combined for the highest parallel bars score of the session.
Cal’s Glen Ishino posted the afternoon’s top score on pommel horse with a total of 15.300 points, while teammate Kyson Bunthuwong had the best parallel bars with a score of 15.350. The University of Michigan’s Thomas Kelly was the top-ranked gymnast on high bar with a score of 15.450.
In the evening session, Oklahoma posted the top team score on four of the six events: floor exercise, 62.050; vault, 64.25; parallel bars, 57.800; and horizontal bar, 59.500. Illinois had the best team score on pommel horse at 59.950, and OSU scored the highest team total for still rings at 61.350.
Oklahoma’s Legendre had the top score for the evening session’s floor exercise competition at 15.900 and vault at 16.350, the highest individual score for the session. Illinois’ Daniel Ribeiro had the best pommel horse tally at 16.000. Ohio State swept the top three spots on still rings, led by Brandon Wynn at 15.750. Parallel bars had a three-way tie at 14.900: Russell Dabritz, University of Minnesota; Kyle McNamara, Oklahoma; and Ruggeri, Illinois. Ruggeri also posted the top score on the horizontal bar at 15.650.
Both all-session and single-session ticket packages are on sale now through the University of Minnesota Athletics Department. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the ticket office at Mariucci Arena, over the phone by calling 612-624-8080 or 800-UGOPHER, or online at www.gophersports.com. On competition days, tickets may be purchased at the Sports Pavilion ticket window. All-session adult tickets, which include four competition sessions, are priced at $35, with all-session student tickets available for $25. Single-session tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $8 for students. Special single-session packages for groups of 15 or more are also available and are priced at $5 per ticket.
2009 Men’s National Qualifier for the NCAA National Championships
Sports Pavilion
University of Minnesota
April 16, 2009
Top three teams from each session advances to finals
Session 1
1. Stanford University, 361.100
2. University of Michigan, 358.300
3. University of California, 357.550
4. Penn State University, 352.150
5. University of Nebraska, 346.800
6. U.S. Naval Academy, 327.000
Session 2
1. University of Oklahoma, 360.950
2. University of Illinois, 359.300
3. Ohio State University, 354.300
4. University of Minnesota, 351.050
5. University of Illinois-Chicago, 337.650
6. University of Iowa, 337.350
Individual qualifiers (gymnasts who are not members of a qualified team)
- All-around
Casey Sandy, Pennsylvania State University
Kyle Shanahan, University of Nebraska
Noam Shaham, Pennsylvania State University
Andrew Stover, University of Illinois – Chicago
Jonathan Buese, University of Iowa
Aaron Fortunato, University of Minnesota
Floor exercise
Eddie Campbell, University of Minnesota
Josh Dilworth, University of Nebraska
Nick Virbitsky, Pennsylvania State University
Adam Reichow, University of Minnesota
Allen Harris, Pennsylvania State University
Geoff Reins, University of Iowa
Pommel horse
James Mauldin, University of Nebraska
David Mohr, University of Illinois – Chicago
Adam Stanton, U.S. Naval Academy
Thomas O’Brien, University of Minnesota
TJ Schmidt, University of Nebraska
Kit Beikmann, University of Minnesota
Still rings
Nikloai Korepanov, University of Illinois – Chicago
Anthony Ingrelli, University of Nebraska
Russell Dabritz, University of Minnesota
Anthony Maras, University of Nebraska
Thomas O’Brien, University of Minnesota
Josh Borromeo, Pennsylvania State University
Vault
John Robinson, University of Nebraska
Adam Reichow, University of Minnesota
Allen Harris, Pennsylvania State University
DJ Repp, University of Minnesota
Josh Dilworth, University of Nebraska
Geoff Reins, University of Iowa
Parallel bars
Allen Harris, Pennsylvania State University
Zach Cazabon, University of Iowa
Neal Thompson, University of Illinois – Chicago
TJ Schmidt, University of Nebraska
James Mauldin, University of Nebraska
Russell Dabritz, University of Minnesota
Horizontal bar
Nickolai Korepanov, University of Illinois – Chicago
Nick Virbitsky, Pennsylvania State University
Colin McGuire, University of Minnesota
Matt Greenfield, Pennsylvania State University
Ali Alieou, University of Minnesota