CHICAGO - No. 6 Stanford led through three rotations before falling back, producing a 408.725 to finish fourth overall at the NCAA Championships on Saturday night at UIC Pavilion.
Stanford has been a model of consistency in the postseason, placing among the top-five at NCAA Championships every year dating back to 2006. This season was no different, with the Cardinal emerging as the winner of its Friday semifinal and holding the lead on Saturday night midway through the competition.
Top-ranked Oklahoma posted a 414.858, capturing its fourth straight NCAA title while extending its winning streak to 97 victories. It's the fourth-longest winning streak of any sport in NCAA history.
Minnesota was the runner-up at 411.923, followed by Illinois taking third place at 411.689. Nebraska (403.589) and Penn State (401.991) rounded out the final two spots, respectively.
Season-high 14.766 for Robert Neff, who repeats as NCAA high bar champion. Fifth in school history to win consecutive NCAA individual titles. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/i289b17did
— Stanford Gymnastics (@StanfordMGym) April 22, 2018
The Cardinal, which produced its fourth-best score of the season, looked sharp from the outset, relying on balanced performances from across the board to quietly maintain its lead. That included a season-high 70.066 on high bar, which was the only event Stanford won as a team.
However, the momentum stalled in the fourth rotation, when Stanford managed only 67.297 on floor, the lowest score on the event overall.
Individually, Stanford was led by senior Robert Neff, who nailed a season-high 14.766 on the high bar to repeat as NCAA champion. A four-time All-American and 2018 Nissen-Emery Award finalist, Neff became the fifth Cardinal gymnast to claim back-to-back NCAA titles and the first since Akash Modi accomplished the feat by winning parallel bars in 2016-17.
Finishing right behind Neff on the high bar was junior Grant Breckenridge, who earned a 14.500. The 1-2 finishes resulted in All-America honors for Neff and Breckenridge.
Also earning All-America accolades were Neff (6th place, 82.032 in the all-around) and freshman Blake Sun (T5th place, 14.400 on parallel bars).
Saturday's meet was also the final competition for seniors Jacob Barrus, Drew Burton, Neff and Ryan Sheppard.
Go time. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/Kpiw7ZzCZZ
— Stanford Gymnastics (@StanfordMGym) April 21, 2018