Stanford Men’s Gymnastics: Cardinal Takes NCAA Silver

Stanford earned its 10th top-three NCAA finish in men's gymnastics in the last 10 years this past weekend, finishing only behind Oklahoma's 443.400. This is their second consecutive runner-up finish since winning it all in 2011.

The gap between gold and silver was a wide 9.350, as the Cardinal tallied a total of 434.050, but still finished a point ahead of Big-10 Champion Ohio State, who took third.

Junior Akash Modi took home national titles on the parallel bars (15.300) and high bar (15.200), along with an 8th place finish on floor (14.650) and 10th place finish on vault (15.000).

This performance capped off a stellar season in which he led the Cardinal with 14 event individual event victories and 4 all-around crowns.

Senior Dennis Zaremski waived sayonara to his college career with a 15.450 on rings to take the event title.

The Cardinal was in striking distance of a national title the whole way, until the pommel horse sent them packing. The team posted a combined 67.650 for their lowest score of the season, to Oklahoma's 73.150. Sophomore Ryan Sheppard's unfortunate fall on pommel was the weight that tipped the scale, as his 11.180 dropped the team into an inescapable hole. Also unlike him was Modi's 13.900, compared to his astounding season best of 15.500.

On a brighter note, each of Stanford's gymnasts scored over 14.450 on rings and 14.700 on vault to a combined 74.050 on both events, and 14.500 on parallel bars to a 74.000 total.

This second place finish marks the end to a fantastic Cardinal run this season highlighted by a second place MPSF finish and Akash Modi being named MPSF Gymnast of the Year.

With Modi's senior year still ahead, the Cardinal has another ride of a similar, if not greater caliber in store.