COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Competing at No. 16 Air Force on Saturday afternoon, No. 1 Stanford posted a score of 413.100 to defeat Air Force (385.400) and the Rocky Mountain Pride (210.950).
Stanford opened competition on still rings, where it posted a 68.200. Thomas Lee got the Cardinal off to a great start with a 13.800 before Riley Loos hit for a 14.000 to finish just short of his career high. Brandon Briones followed with a 13.900, but it was Ian Gunther's 14.400 that stole the show and ultimately won the event title.
Moving to floor, sophomore Blake Wilson impressed with a career-best 14.500 to win the event as the lead off in the lineup. All five of Stanford's scores went 14+, with Nissen-Emery finalist Bailey Perez anchoring with a stuck 14.400. The strong showing earned Stanford a 71.350 on floor – the second-best mark for the Cardinal this year.
Fellow Nissen-Emery finalist David Jessen and senior Joey Ringer each managed a 13.700 on pommel horse, but it was Gunther again who eventually earned top honors, notching a 13.800 out of the second spot in the order.
Wilson continued his stellar meet on high bar, registering a career-best 14.200 to win the event title. Jessen managed a season-high 14.050, followed by Briones (14.000), Bitner (13.550) and Gunther (13.350).
The top vault team in the nation, Stanford went for a 72.700 on vault during Saturday's competition. Freshman Zach Martin and sophomore Curran Phillips led the way with each scoring a 14.700 to share the event title. The mark matched Martin's previous career high. Connor Lewis (14.550), Perez (14.500) and Loos (14.250) all added solid vaults to help guide Stanford to the quality team score.
Finishing on parallel bars, Stanford received a 13.900 from Gunther to capture his third event title of the night. Phillips was right behind Gunther with a 13.850, while Briones managed a 13.400 to finish third.
Stanford will now prepare to host California next Saturday in a Senior Day meet scheduled for 4 p.m. in Maples Pavilion. The meet will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
