KZ9_7173-01KZ9_7173-01
Karen Hickey/isiphotos.com
Men's Gymnastics

Stanford Clips Cal

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1 Stanford defeated No. 10 California for a third consecutive meet on Saturday evening, defeating the Golden Bears by a score of 392.850-391.850. 

With recently named 2024 World Cup team members Asher Hong, Khoi Young, and Colt Walker out of the lineup, the Cardinal relied on its veteran leadership to pull out the win in Burnham Pavilion. 

Brandon Nguyen was the meet's lone all-around participant as he tallied a score of 79.700. The senior captain also led off the night with an event title, earning the top spot on the podium with a 13.950 routine on floor. 

Fellow captain Luke McFarland also came through in the clutch for Stanford, turning in a career-best 14.350 on the parallel bars to claim the event win on the penultimate rotation of the night. 

J.R. Chou tied the career-high that he set last weekend on pommel horse, once again posting a 14.100 to pace the field in the event.  

Mark Berlaga closed out Stanford's event winners on the night, registering a season-best 14.550 routine on still rings to claim his first event crown of the season. 

Saturday's action also saw each of Stanford's four freshman compete in a meet for the first time of their careers, highlighted by the trio of David Shamah (14.300), Toma Murakawa (13.750) and Zach Green (13.400) posting Stanford's top three scores on vault. 

Overall, Stanford came away with four individual event titles, while Cal claimed wins on vault and high bar. 

The Cardinal return to action next weekend as they host Team USA and the Bay Area Bandits to Burnham Pavilion on Saturday, February 10 at 4:00 p.m. PT.