Saturday, January 13
Norman, OK
5:45 PM
Air Force Academy
at
Oklahoma
Photo by: Trevor Cokley
Men’s Gymnastics Opens 2024 Season at Oklahoma
1/12/2024 2:59:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
Air Force at Oklahoma with Nebraska
5:45 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024
McCasland Field House | Norman, OK
BACK AT IT
Josh Loeser enters his fourth season as the head coach of the Air Force men's gymnastics team in 2024. Loeser, the 2023 MPSF Coach of the Year, pushed the Falcons to new heights last season where the team finished eighth at the NCAA Championships, marking the best finish since 1972. The Falcons finalized the season with an NCAA All-American, an MPSF Champion, five Falcons with seven All-MPSF honors, a USAG Collegiate Nationals Champion and eight Falcons with 13 USAG All-American accolades.
The Falcons return 16 members from the 2023 squad. The returners are highlighted by 2023 MPSF high bar champion Garrett Braunton, 2023 pommel horse All-American Patrick Hoopes, and 2023 All-MPSF selection Erich Upton.
Seniors Jake Sampier and Oliver Zavel will lead the team as co-captains in the 2023-24 campaign.
LAST TIME AGAINST OU
Air Force competed against the Sooners on three occasions last season; at the Rocky Mountain Open (OU 411.850; AF 397.400), in a tri-meet at Norman (OU 405.400; AF 380.450), and in the MPSF Championships (OU 409.500; AF 388.600).
Garret Braunton took first in the high bar (14.850) at the Rocky Mountain Open. Erich Upton claimed first at the tri-meet with OU and Illinois in the parallel bars (14.200), high bar (12.650) and all around (79.150). At the MPSF Championships, Braunton claimed the top spot on the high bar (14.450).
WELCOME ABOARD
Air Force added five freshmen to the roster for the 2024 season.
Alex Baum – Dallas, TX – SR, PH
Ryder Butera – Richmond, TX – FX, SR
Nathan Dimmateo – Naugatuck, CT – SR PH
Aiden Esval – Roswell, GA – FX, PH, SR, V, HB
Sunny Pyle – Roswell, GA – FX, PH PB
The Falcons also welcomed a new coach to staff in David Henderson Jr. David Henderson Jr. Henderson brings over a decade of coaching experience and a wealth of knowledge to the Academy. Henderson comes to USAFA by way of Montreal, Canada, where he was an artist and artist coach for the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. His coaching career spans the globe with stints across the nation and as far out as New Zealand.
A former national team member and 2005 national champion on the rings at Oklahoma, Henderson Jr. is a five-time All-American and helped the Sooners to three national titles in his time at Norman. He earned his B.A. in Anthropology from OU in 2006.
A resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Henderson Jr. resides in Colorado Springs with his three daughters.
NEXT UP
Air Force hosts the Rocky Mountain Open next Saturday, January 20. Action in Cadet West Gym is slated for 6 p.m.
5:45 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024
McCasland Field House | Norman, OK
BACK AT IT
Josh Loeser enters his fourth season as the head coach of the Air Force men's gymnastics team in 2024. Loeser, the 2023 MPSF Coach of the Year, pushed the Falcons to new heights last season where the team finished eighth at the NCAA Championships, marking the best finish since 1972. The Falcons finalized the season with an NCAA All-American, an MPSF Champion, five Falcons with seven All-MPSF honors, a USAG Collegiate Nationals Champion and eight Falcons with 13 USAG All-American accolades.
The Falcons return 16 members from the 2023 squad. The returners are highlighted by 2023 MPSF high bar champion Garrett Braunton, 2023 pommel horse All-American Patrick Hoopes, and 2023 All-MPSF selection Erich Upton.
Seniors Jake Sampier and Oliver Zavel will lead the team as co-captains in the 2023-24 campaign.
LAST TIME AGAINST OU
Air Force competed against the Sooners on three occasions last season; at the Rocky Mountain Open (OU 411.850; AF 397.400), in a tri-meet at Norman (OU 405.400; AF 380.450), and in the MPSF Championships (OU 409.500; AF 388.600).
Garret Braunton took first in the high bar (14.850) at the Rocky Mountain Open. Erich Upton claimed first at the tri-meet with OU and Illinois in the parallel bars (14.200), high bar (12.650) and all around (79.150). At the MPSF Championships, Braunton claimed the top spot on the high bar (14.450).
WELCOME ABOARD
Air Force added five freshmen to the roster for the 2024 season.
Alex Baum – Dallas, TX – SR, PH
Ryder Butera – Richmond, TX – FX, SR
Nathan Dimmateo – Naugatuck, CT – SR PH
Aiden Esval – Roswell, GA – FX, PH, SR, V, HB
Sunny Pyle – Roswell, GA – FX, PH PB
The Falcons also welcomed a new coach to staff in David Henderson Jr. David Henderson Jr. Henderson brings over a decade of coaching experience and a wealth of knowledge to the Academy. Henderson comes to USAFA by way of Montreal, Canada, where he was an artist and artist coach for the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. His coaching career spans the globe with stints across the nation and as far out as New Zealand.
A former national team member and 2005 national champion on the rings at Oklahoma, Henderson Jr. is a five-time All-American and helped the Sooners to three national titles in his time at Norman. He earned his B.A. in Anthropology from OU in 2006.
A resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Henderson Jr. resides in Colorado Springs with his three daughters.
NEXT UP
Air Force hosts the Rocky Mountain Open next Saturday, January 20. Action in Cadet West Gym is slated for 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
SR, PH
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, SR
/ Men's Gymnastics
SR, PH
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, PH, SR, V, HB
/ Men's Gymnastics
PH, V, PB
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, PH, PB
/ Men's Gymnastics
FX, V
/ Men's GymnasticsFX, PH, SR, V, PB, HB
/ 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
