MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In a meet that came down to the wire, the second-ranked Cardinal managed to pull out a first place finish with a 432.800 team score. Stanford topped No. 3 Minnesota (432.650), No. 5 Illinois (429.750) and No. 7 Iowa (419.700) to remain undefeated on the season.
On floor, the Cardinal (12-0) posted a 72.950 team score with Gabe Flores leading the way with a 14.950 to tie for fourth in the event. Following Flores was Taylor Seaton (14.800) and Jacob Barrus (14.500). Illinois took the team title in the event with a 73.250 score.
The Fightin’ Illini took the team title in pommel as well, though Brian Knott stepped up for Stanford with a 14.650 score for a third-place finish in the event. Andrew Misiolek and Ryan Sheppard both added 13.750 scores to help the Cardinal as it finished with a 68.950 team score.
Headed to the rings, Ryan Sheppard stepped up for Stanford with a 14.950 to take the event’s individual title before Dennis Zaremski followed up with a 14.650. Jordan DeClerk was next with a 14.500 before Josiah Eng and Robert Neff added 14.300 scores to lead Stanford to the event title with a 72.700 team score.
Headed into vault, the Cardinal stepped it up a notch with Gabe Flores leading in another event for Stanford with a 15.150 score to take second overall in the event. Ryan Sheppard threw down a 14.750 score next that Taylor Seaton was right behind with a 14.700. Drew Burton added a 14.650 score as well with Stanford posting a 73.700 as a team.
Parallel bars proved to be the game changer for the Cardinal as it took the team title with a 73.050 score. Reigning parallel bars champion Brian Knott led the charge with a season-best 15.200. Jordan DeClerk with another season-best score of 15.000.
Headed into the last event, it was a close score with Stanford holding first place 361.350 with Minnesota right on its heels with a 361.000. High bar saw Brian Knott land a 14.700 score while Taylor Seaton stick a 14.600 in the event as Stanford posted a 71.450 to eke out a win margin of .150 to remain undefeated on the year.
In the all-around, Ryan Sheppard tied for first with Minnesota’s Justin Karstadt with an 84.750 score.
The Cardinal travels this week to compete in the Winter Cup Feb. 18-20 in Las Vegas, Nev.