Stanford Men’s Gymnastics: Good enough to remain undefeated

The Cardinal cruised to a 9-0 record this gymnastics' season, but win number 10 did not come easy, entering without Akash Modi, the No. 1 all-around collegiate gymnast this year. In a close competition, Stanford barely edged out Minnesota by 0.150 points in a nail-biter.

No. 2 Stanford took on its toughest competition yet: No. 3 Minnesota, No. 5 Illinois, and No. 7 Iowa, along with the Canadian National Team.

The Cardinal started on floor with a 72.950 team score, good enough for third behind Iowa (74.200) and Illinois (73.250). Junior Gabe Flores led with way with a 14.950 to tie for 4th in the event, followed by junior Taylor Seaton and sophomore Jabob Barrus' respective scores of 14.800 and 14.500.

Illinois (70.550) took pommel horse as the Cardinal (68.950) finished fourth, but fifth year senior Brian Knott did manage to cash in on a bronze medal with a 14.650.
Things started to turn in Stanford's favor on rings, as the Cardinal won the event with a 72.700. Sophomore Ryan Sheppard won the event with a 14.950, alongside senior Dennis Zaremski's 14.650.

Vault was a story of the silver medals. The Cardinal (73.700) took second to Minnesota (73.750) by only a twentieth of a point, as Gabe Flores took second in the event with a 15.150. Ryan Sheppard contributed with a 14.750, and Taylor Seaton finished right behind with his 14.700.

The parallel bars served as the turning point for the Cardinal. Taking the event with a 73.050, ahead of Minnesota's 72.350, Stanford made up some ground as the next closest collegiate mark was Iowa's 68.750. Reigning p-bars champion Brian Knott led with a 15.200 to take the silver behind Minnesota's Tristan Duran (15.600). At this point, Stanford led the meet by 0.350 points over Minnesota, as they headed to high bar.

Although taking third on high bar with a 71.450, it was still enough to hold on for the meet victory by a slim margin of 0.150 points. Brian Knott posted a 14.700, ahead of Taylor Seaton's 14.600, as they carried the Cardinal through the finish line.

Ryan Sheppard tied Minnesota's Justin Karstadt for the all-around title with a score of 84.750.

On short rest, the undefeated 10-0 Cardinal will travel to Las Vegas this Thursday, February 18th to compete in the Winter Cup.