Falcons Open 2012 Season Hosting Rocky Mountain Open
1/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2012
The 11th-ranked Air Force men's gymnastics team opens the 2012 season on Saturday, Jan. 14, as it hosts the annual Rocky Mountain Open. The meet will feature top-ranked Oklahoma and No. 9 Nebraska, as well club teams from Arizona State and Washington and gymnasts from the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Meet Notes 01: Rocky Mountain Open 
MEET INFORMATION
The Rocky Mountain Open, which has been held at the Academy every year since 1981, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., at the Academy's Cadet West Gym. Air Force will open the meet on the floor exercise, while Nebraska starts on the pommel horse. Oklahoma and Washington will start on the still rings and vault, respectively, while Arizona State will begin on the parallel bars. Gymnasts from the Olympic Training Center will open on the high bar.
IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE MEET...
The Falcons will have live video streaming for the Rocky Mountain Open. The free video feed can be accessed by clicking on the camera icon on the schedule page of GoAirForceFalcons.com.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
This is the first meet of the season for all three varsity-level programs. Conference opponent Oklahoma, which has won the past 12 RMO titles, enters the 2012 season ranked first in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll. Former MPSF foe Nebraska (now a member of the Big 10) is ranked ninth in the preseason poll.
LOOKING BACK AT THE 2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN
Oklahoma won its 12th consecutive team title at the 2011 meet, taking five of the six event titles and the all-around. The Sooners' Jake Dalton won the floor exercise, still rings, parallel bars, high bar and all-around, while teammate Steven Legendre won the vault for the his ninth career RMO event title. Air Force's James Okamoto claimed first on the pommel horse to become just the third Air Force gymnast to earn an event title at the RMO since 2001.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN RECORDS
Floor Exercise: 15.950, Steven Legendre, Oklahoma (2010)
Pommel Horse: 15.200, Alex Naddour, Oklahoma (2010)
Still Rings: 15.300, Ian Jackson, Oklahoma (2009)
Vault: 16.400, Steven Legendre, Oklahoma (2011)
Parallel Bars: 15.100, Jake Dalton, Oklahoma (2011)
High Bar: 14.800, Jake Dalton, Oklahoma (2010)
All-Around: 89.400, Steven Legendre, Oklahoma (2009)
A LITTLE STAT FACT
James Okamoto is the first Air Force gymnast since 2008 - and just the third since 2001 - to win an event title at the Rocky Mountain Open. He joined Jake Schoning (co-still rings, 2008) and Aaron Jackson (floor exercise, 2003) as RMO winners for the Falcons.
HOME SWEET HOME
Air Force will compete at home on six occasions during the 2012 season. Following the season-opening Rocky Mountain Open on Jan. 14, the Falcons will host Minnesota on Jan. 28. Air Force will spend the month of February on the road, before returning to the Academy in March to host Illinois-Chicago (Mar. 2, Mar. 4) and USAG Championships (March 30-31). The Falcons will close out the season on Apr. 7, when they host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships for the second straight year.
FALCONS MATCH BEST PRESEASON RANKING
Air Force recorded its highest preseason ranking ever, when it was tabbed 11th in the College Gymnastics Association Preseason Coaches' Poll. It is the fourth straight year that the Falcons were listed among the nation's top teams, as well as receiving the highest ranking among the three service academies.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Air Force added eight talented freshmen to its roster for the 2012 season. Skyler Awisus, Gared Chapman, Greg Chaput, Nick Gaudlip, Corbin Palmer, Josh Ramos, Niko Schwab and Jon Spiro are the newest Falcons.
ON THE SIDELINES
Kip Simons is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Air Force men's gymnastics team. He will be joined in 2012 by foruth-year assistant coach Chuck Schweiss and second-year assistant coach Jeff Robinson.
LEADING THE WAY
Senior Devin Menefee will serve as the captain for the 2012 Falcons. It is just the third time since 2003 - that one gymnast has served as team captain.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE FALCONS
Air Force will travel to Lincoln, Neb., on Sunday, Jan. 22, for a rematch with Nebraska at 1 p.m.
