STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford head coach Thom Glielmi has announced the signings of four decorated prep standouts to National Letters of Intent on Friday.
Stanford's class includes four national champions, which will join the Cardinal for the 2020 campaign: Brandon Briones (Gilbert, Ariz./Aspire Kids Sports Center), JR Chou (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy), Riley Loos (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Technique Gymnastics) and Zachary Martin (Elk Grove, Calif./Elevate Gymnastics).
"This is one of the best recruiting classes we have seen," said Glielmi. "We are very excited to welcome these four extraordinary young men to the Stanford family. Their enthusiasm for the sport, and what Stanford offers them academically, bodes well for their future and the future of our program."
Brandon Briones – Gilbert, Ariz. (Aspire Kids Sports Center)
Quick Profile: The reigning USA and Junior Olympic all-around champion (17-18 age bracket), Briones is the still rings, parallel bars and horizontal bar champion. As a USA Junior National Team Member, Briones finished fourth all-around at the 2018 Youth Olympic games held in Buenos Ares, Argentina. Briones garnered the gold medal on vault in an international field with 216 countries participating. Briones was also part of the gold medal Junior Pan American Games team, where he also captured the all-around title.
Why Briones Chose Stanford: "I chose Stanford because I immediately felt a connection to the team environment and the unique energy that resonated on campus. I felt that Stanford would be the best school to help me reach all of my academic and athletic goals. Stanford is the best match for my desire to become the best I can be."
Coach Glielmi Says: "Brandon is already competing at a senior level. I believe he will transition seamlessly to the collegiate and senior ranks. As soon as he walks into the gym he brings scores on five if not all six events that can help the team. Brandon is also a gymnast that commands the crowd's attention – he is one of the best competitors I've seen."
JR Chou – Cypress, Texas (Cypress Academy)
Quick Profile: Chou is the Junior Olympic National all-around & pommel horse champion (16 years old age bracket). Chou finished second on horizontal bar, third on parallel bars and fourth on floor exercise at the 2018 JO National Championships. A member of the USA Junior National Team, Chou is also the 2018 Junior Pan American Games floor exercise and pommel horse champion. Chou, Loos and Briones were all part of the USA's gold medal-winning team at the 2018 Junior Pan American Games.
Why Chou Chose Stanford: "I committed to Stanford University because after just one weekend on campus, and meeting the people there, I realized that should I attend this school and practice with this team. I will have no [limitations] to accomplish anything as long as I have the personal drive and determination. This is something I believe is unique to Stanford, which has proven that its students and athletes achieve heights much greater than any other place. I want to be a part of that legacy."
Coach Glielmi Says: "JR is apotheosis of who coaches want to work with – he is focused, enthusiastic determined, talented and pragmatic. He is the consummate team player and brings intangibles that will greatly benefit our team."
Riley Loos – El Dorado Hills, Calif. (Technique Gymnastics)
Quick Profile: A USA Junior National Team Member, Loos finished second all-around behind Briones at the 2018 USA Championships. Loos captured the pommel horse title, as well as placing in the top six on floor exercise (second), still rings, vault, horizontal bar and parallel bars. Loss got a taste of senior level competition when he was called up to the senior ranks to compete at the Senior Pan American games, helping leading the USA to a gold medal.
Why Loos Chose Stanford: "I chose Stanford to continue my academic studies at the most prestigious school out there while also pushing myself in gymnastics as hard as humanly possible alongside the most motivated team in the NCAA."
Coach Glielmi Says: "Riley has a huge upside. His club coach did a great job keeping him healthy and developing high-level skills that will transition into the senior ranks. As a junior, he competed roughly 60 percent of what he is capable of doing. So, it will be exciting to watch him develop. Riley is talented and focused on achieving great things in the sport and we are excited it will happen at Stanford."
Zachary Martin – Elk Grove, Calif. (Elevate Gymnastics)
Quick Profile: Martin seized the gold on vault at the 2018 USA Championships (15-16 age bracket), even though he was competing at his first USA Championships. At the Junior Olympic National Championships, Martin was crowned the JO National Vaulting champion (16 yr. bracket) and finished eight in the all-around, fourth on pommel horse and seventh on rings.
Why Martin Chose Stanford: "I hope to push my gymnastics to the next level and feel confident Stanford is the best place for me to do this with the assistance of head coach Thom Glielmi, and assistant coaches Syque Caesar and Karl Ziehn."
Coach Glielmi Says: "Zachary is definitely a dark horse. He is very unassuming in his style and then busts out some spectacular gymnastics. As his consistency improves, he will challenge our lineup on floor exercise, pommel horse, rings and vault. Zachary is in an integral part of this stellar class that we are so excited about."