March 2, 2007
Stanford, Calif. - An undermanned Stanford team was defeated by top ranked Michigan tonight at Burnham Pavilion. The Cardinal fell to Michigan by a final score of 212.35-208.1.
National Team member and Stanford co-captain David Sender was unable to compete in the meet due to family issues. Despite his absence, the Cardinal opened up the competition with a couple of outstanding floor routines. Greg Ter-Zakhariants turned in the top score for the Cardinal with a 9.05, with Dylan Carney following close behind, posting a 9.00. After the first rotation, Stanford held a 35.35-33.60 lead over Michigan.
The Cardinal moved to the pommel horse where Bryant Hadden was solid, turninig in the top event score of an 8.95. Brice Rolston also turned in a strong performance, recording an 8.45, helping Stanford to an overall score of 33.65 on the event. Michigan turned in their best event score of the night on the floor routine as they posted a 37.70, taking the lead 71.30-69.00.
Stanford being undermanned came into play on the still rings, as the Cardinal was forced to enter only four gymnasts in the event, leaving no room for error. The team responded with Hadden earning a 9.60 and Alex Schorsch posting a 9.50, helping to give Stanford its highest event total of the night with a 36.20.
Next up for the Cardinal was the vault. It was Ter-Zakhariants once again posting the high score of the event, this time earning a 9.00. Eli Alcaraz had the second highest score on the event as he posted an 8.800. Stanford tallied a 34.50 total event score, running their meet total to 139.70. Michigan still held a slim lead with a 141.40 total score.
With only two events left, if Stanford was going to make a run it would have to start with the parallel bars. The team was solid under pressure once again as Hadden posted a 9.0 to lead the Cardinal. Rolston and Chris Harper both earned an 8.85 as Stanford recorded a 34.85 on the event. Michigan's lead had now been cut to 175.75-174.55.
Unfortunately for the Cardinal, they were only able to put four gymnasts up on the high bar in the last event. It started out well as Andrew Mcintyre posted a 9.10, but little mistakes here and there were enough for Michigan to capitalize on. Stanford ended the meet with a 208.10 final score, while Michigan came away victorious, posting a 212.35.
Hadden earned the All-Around title for Stanford as he tallied a final score of 51.65.
The team continues their home stand on March 10 at 7:00pm as Penn St. and Iowa make the trip to Burnham Pavilion.