Feb. 24, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - In its fourth meeting on the season, the Stanford men's gymnastics team needed a strong team performance in its final event to remain undefeated against California.
The Cardinal high bar team delivered, as No. 4 Stanford pulled out a gutsy 428.800-424.550 victory over No. 9 Cal, Saturday night in Burnham Pavilion.
Stanford trailed Cal after each of the first five events and entered its final rotation down 357.500-355.650.
Brain Knott got the Cardinal started with a career-best performance of 14.850 and finished second overall. Knott's performance was followed by a career-high from Jonathan Deaton (14.350) and season-best routines from Chris Turner (14.550) and John Martin(14.800). Martin finished third in the event.
Turner had a terrific night, competing in the all-round for the first time this season and claiming the title with an 86.650. He earned the rings title and tied his career-best on the event for the second week in a row, earning a 15.000.
With Stanford in the middle of a grueling stretch of competition that includes four meets in four weeks, head coach Thom Glielmiused Saturday's competition to rest some gymnasts and give others who had been on the cusp of lineup spots, an opportunity to compete.
Turner garnered his first spot in the floor lineup this season and took advantage of the opportunity, delivering a career-high 14.400.
Glielmi was happy with Turner's overall performance and was encouraged by his floor and high bar routines in particular, as Turner has been on the cusp of those lineups throughout the season.
Stanford struggled overall on floor, however, with multiple missed routines that left the Cardinal in an early hole.
Stanford responded with a team season-best performance on pommel horse, delivering a 71.900. Senior John Martinled the team with a season-high 14.950 and tied with Cal's Takahiro Kawada for first place.
Sean Sentersfinished third with a career-best 14.700, while Knott earned a career-best of his own with a 14.250.
Turner led Stanford on rings and was followed by freshman Dennis Zaremski who tied his career-high of 14.850 to finish second. Kevin Bakeralso notched a career-high score, contributing a 14.600.
Baker and Paul Hichwa tied for first on vault, both scoring career-highs of 14.800. Deaton notched a third-place finish with a 14.650.
Senior Cameron Foremancontinued to be a staple for the Cardinal on parallel bars, delivering a 14.750 to claim the event title. Foreman has scored a 14.700 or higher on parallel bars in four of five meets on the season. Zaremski claimed his second second-place finish on the night with a career-high 14.500.
Despite picking up the victory, Glielmi says the team's performance left something to be desired and that he hopes the team will learn from the meet to prevent falling in early deficits.
Stanford will see Cal for the third consecutive meet when it plays host to the Golden Bears at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 in Burnham Pavilion as part of the Collegiate Challenge. The meet will also include the Japanese Collegiate National Team, Washington and Arizona State.