Men’s gymnastics: 11 gymnasts compete in NCAA championships

William and Mary wrapped up its season in Chicago Friday, with 11 gymnasts competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships at Illinois-Chicago, the largest representation from the College in school history. Although no Tribe gymnasts advanced to the finals, several just barely missed the cutoff.

The College competed in Friday’s second round, where the top three teams from each round advanced to finals competition. In addition, the top three all-around competitors and the top three athletes on each event not already on a qualifying team advanced to finals.

Seniors Juan Palma on floor (T16, 13.5) and Jeremiah McReynolds on rings (T12, 13.466) both just barely missed the finals, tying for spots in their respective events but failing to advance on the tiebreakers.

The Tribe also had solid showings in most of the other events. Junior Jack Hasenkop, the only all-around competitor for the College, took eighth place with a score of 72.632. His best event was vault, where he tied for 20th and led the way for the Tribe with his score of 13.9. Sophomore Tim O’Neill tied for 23rd on vault (13.833) and Juan Palma tied for 34th (12.866).

Gymnasts from the College also finished in the top 20 on high bar and pommel horse. On high bar, junior David Allen tied for 17th (13.366) while McReynolds tied for 28th (12.566). Junior Jacopo Gliozzi tied for 15th on pommel horse (13.266), where freshman Cutter Fugett took 21st (12.6) and senior Griffin Antle tied for 24th (12.366). Antle also competed on parallel bars, where he took 30th place with his score of 12.533.

In addition to McReynolds’ 12th place effort, juniors Peter Makey (22nd, 13.233), David Watkins (26th, 12.966) and Gliozzi (30th, 12.8) all competed on rings. On floor, following up Juan Palma’s 16th place score, O’Neill tied for 29th (12.533), sophomore Tomas Palma took 31st (12.4) and Fugett placed 34th (12.0).

From Friday’s second round, Oklahoma (410.991), Illinois (408.824) and Penn State (404.79) advanced to Saturday’s team finals. Tribe gymnasts will return to the floor next winter.

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