Friday, April 14
State College, PA
Air Force Academy
at
NCAA National Qualifier
Photo by: Photo by Trevor Cokley
Men’s Gymnastics Concludes 2023 Campaign at New Heights
4/19/2023 2:37:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
USAF ACADEMY – The men's gymnastics team brought a historic season to a close at the 2023 NCAA Championships, finishing eight in the field for the best result since 1972. The Falcons' Patrick Hoopes earned All-America honors in the effort, helping Air Force to its top team score of the season.
"When we established goals for the season, I said I want to finish top eight, get a guy on the national team, five finals qualifiers and two All-Americans—we did just about all of that this year," head coach Josh Loeser said. "I couldn't be happier for the guys— we had just two missed routines for the team, and you couldn't ask for a better finish to the year."
Eight Falcons made it to the finals in Oliver Zavel (AA, H-Bar, P-Bar, Pommel, Rings, Vault), Erich Upton (H-Bar, P-Bar, Pommel, Rings, Vault), Bryan Woffinden (H-Bar), Charlie Miles (P-Bar), Patrick Hoopes (Pommel), Sam Brown (Pommel), Garrett Braunton (Rings) and Sam Metzler (Vault).
Zavel had a remarkable championship meet as he qualified for the U.S. Championships in the all-around despite coming up just two-tenths short of an All-American finish. Zavel posted season-best scores on the floor exercise (13.966), pommel (12.533). In the Session 1 qualifiers, Zavel had the top all-around score and personal best 80.831, setting a personal season-best marks in the rings (13.366), parallel bars (14.200) and high bar (13.433).
Hoopes was inspiring in his finals run, despite falling, he still managed an All-American finish which speaks volumes to his grit and ability to bounce back. In the Session 1 qualifiers, Hoopes scored an impressive 14.466 for a second-place finish. Hoopes currently holds the Academy record on the pommel (15.300). Teammate Sam Brown also qualified for the event finals, posting a 13.600 for a 12th-place finish.
Erich Upton also competed in the all-around, scoring a 78.231 to finish 14th. Upton has been stellar for the Falcons all season, posting some of the team's high marks in multiple events. In the Session 1 qualifiers, Upton finished second behind Zavel in the all-around (79.498) and was AF's top performer on the floor (14.266) and vault (14.566).
Garrett Braunton, a 2022 still rings NCAA All-American, finished 15th in the event with a season-best 13.966.
"The goal for this team is to make the finals as a team at the NCAA Championships," Loeser continued. "I think that is where we're headed because the culture of the team and the attitude of the team is moving in that direction. I want to give credit to coach Sergey Resnick, he has a lot to do with why the guys and the culture development is moving in that direction. I've never been with a team this motivated, it's a nice feeling."
The Falcons finalize the season with an NCAA All-American, an MPSF Champion, five Falcons with seven All-MPSF honors, MPSF Coach of the Year, a USAG Collegiate Nationals Champion and eight Falcons with 13 USAG All-American accolades.
"When we established goals for the season, I said I want to finish top eight, get a guy on the national team, five finals qualifiers and two All-Americans—we did just about all of that this year," head coach Josh Loeser said. "I couldn't be happier for the guys— we had just two missed routines for the team, and you couldn't ask for a better finish to the year."
Eight Falcons made it to the finals in Oliver Zavel (AA, H-Bar, P-Bar, Pommel, Rings, Vault), Erich Upton (H-Bar, P-Bar, Pommel, Rings, Vault), Bryan Woffinden (H-Bar), Charlie Miles (P-Bar), Patrick Hoopes (Pommel), Sam Brown (Pommel), Garrett Braunton (Rings) and Sam Metzler (Vault).
Zavel had a remarkable championship meet as he qualified for the U.S. Championships in the all-around despite coming up just two-tenths short of an All-American finish. Zavel posted season-best scores on the floor exercise (13.966), pommel (12.533). In the Session 1 qualifiers, Zavel had the top all-around score and personal best 80.831, setting a personal season-best marks in the rings (13.366), parallel bars (14.200) and high bar (13.433).
Hoopes was inspiring in his finals run, despite falling, he still managed an All-American finish which speaks volumes to his grit and ability to bounce back. In the Session 1 qualifiers, Hoopes scored an impressive 14.466 for a second-place finish. Hoopes currently holds the Academy record on the pommel (15.300). Teammate Sam Brown also qualified for the event finals, posting a 13.600 for a 12th-place finish.
Erich Upton also competed in the all-around, scoring a 78.231 to finish 14th. Upton has been stellar for the Falcons all season, posting some of the team's high marks in multiple events. In the Session 1 qualifiers, Upton finished second behind Zavel in the all-around (79.498) and was AF's top performer on the floor (14.266) and vault (14.566).
Garrett Braunton, a 2022 still rings NCAA All-American, finished 15th in the event with a season-best 13.966.
"The goal for this team is to make the finals as a team at the NCAA Championships," Loeser continued. "I think that is where we're headed because the culture of the team and the attitude of the team is moving in that direction. I want to give credit to coach Sergey Resnick, he has a lot to do with why the guys and the culture development is moving in that direction. I've never been with a team this motivated, it's a nice feeling."
The Falcons finalize the season with an NCAA All-American, an MPSF Champion, five Falcons with seven All-MPSF honors, MPSF Coach of the Year, a USAG Collegiate Nationals Champion and eight Falcons with 13 USAG All-American accolades.
Players Mentioned
FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
PH, V, PB
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, V, HB
/ Men's GymnasticsPH, PB, HB
/ Men's GymnasticsFX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB
/ Men's GymnasticsPH, V, PB
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB
/ Men's GymnasticsPatrick Hoopes Bronze Medal World University Games 2025
Monday, July 28
Patrick Hoopes Interview April 30, 2025
Wednesday, April 30
Erich Upton Interview April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 22
Josh Loeser Interview April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 22
