Air Force Ranked 11th in GymInfo Preseason Poll
11/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Nov. 7, 2011
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - The Air Force men's gymnastics team recorded its highest preseason-ranking ever, as it collected an 11th-place standing in the annual GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll. The 2011 poll marks the fourth straight year that the Falcons have earned a spot in the preseason standings.
The 11th-place ranking is the highest placement ever for the Falcons in the preseason coaches' poll, bettering the 13th-place ranking that the team had received during each of the last two years.
Air Force, which is led by seventh-year head coach Kip Simons, will feature an impressive lineup of talent in 2010, including a returning roster that has claimed the last two USAG national titles, the 2011 All-Academy title and sent a full squad to the NCAA national qualifier for the first time since 1998. Individually, the Falcons return three USAG national champions to the roster in Tory Brown (2011 vault), Devin Menefee (2010 vault) and James Okamoto (2011 pommel horse), as well as four USAG All-Americans.
For the fourth consecutive season, Air Force has the highest preseason ranking of the three service academy programs, leading both Army (No. 14) and Navy (unranked). The Falcons will face both teams at the annual All-Academy Championships in mid-February, while also traveling to Army that month.
The Falcons' Mountain Pacific Sports Federation foe Oklahoma is the early season favorite in the national rankings, while Illinois is ranked second. Michigan was voted third, while defending NCAA champion Stanford (fourth) and California (fifth) round out the top five.
GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Oklahoma (5 first-place votes) | 2. Illinois (7) | 3. Michigan (2) | 4. Stanford (3) | 5. California | 6. Penn State | 7. Ohio State | 8. Minnesota | 9. Nebraska | 10. Iowa | 11. AIR FORCE | 12 (tie). Illinois-Chicago | 12 (tie). Temple | 14. Army | 15. William & Mary
Air Force opens the 2012 season on Saturday, Jan. 14, when it hosts the annual Rocky Mountain Open at the Academy's Cadet West Gym.
Players Mentioned
