STANFORD, Calif. - Having captured its sixth national championship in program history in 2019, Stanford enters the 2020 season as the No. 1 team in the nation according to the annual College Gymnastics Association Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cardinal has finished in the top-five at the NCAA Championships in every year since 2006.
Stanford took top billing in the poll with 457 total points and 17 first-place votes. Oklahoma, which finished second to Stanford a year ago, claimed 420 points and two of the final three first-place votes. Michigan rounded out the top three with 404 points and the final first-place selection.
After finishing a close second to Oklahoma at the MPSF Championship, the Cardinal edged the four-time defending national champions in the final rotation to capture the 2019 NCAA title. Competing on still rings to finish the competition, Stanford erased a 4.40-point deficit to close the meet with a 415.222 team score, topping Oklahoma at 414.556.
Freshman Brody Malone, the College Gymnastics Association Rookie of the Year and conference Gymnast of the Year, guided the way for the Cardinal, winning individual national titles in the floor exercise, high bar and all-around to become the first Stanford gymnast to win three individual titles in one championship meet. Malone captured five All-American honors during the championship run, and the Cardinal's 15 total selections matched a program record.
Returning 16 gymnasts, including 21 of the 30 routines that made up the winning formula in the championship final, Stanford will look to secure back-to-back titles for the second time in program history – first accomplishing the feat in 1992 and 1993.
Aiding the returners will be one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, headlined by 2017 and 2018 Junior Olympic National Champion Brandon Briones. Riley Loos, JR Chou and Zach Martin join graduate transfer Roshan Toopal as newcomers to 18th-year head coach Thom Glielmi's program in 2020.
The 2020 campaign is set to begin on January 11 when the Cardinal visits Cal for the annual Cal Benefit Cup at 7 p.m.
College Gymnastics Association Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Stanford (457 points) (17 first place votes)
2. Oklahoma (420 points) (2 first place votes)
3. Michigan (404 points) (1 first place votes)
4. Illinois (383 points)
5. Nebraska (377 points)
6. Minnesota (373 points)
7. Penn State (367 points)
8. Iowa (317 points)
9. Ohio State (316 points)
10. Navy (283 points)
11. California (254 points)
12. Army (228 points)
13. Air Force (227 points)
14. Arizona State (203 points)
15. William & Mary (182 points)
16. Springfield College (167 points)
17. Washington (142 points)
18. UIC (108 points)
19. Temple (94 points)
20. SC United (84 points)
Also receiving votes. NorCal United (14 points)
