Air Force Claims Team Title at USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals

USAF ACADEMY – Air Force posted a season-best 401.650 to claim the 2024 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship title, Friday afternoon, in Cadet Gymnasium. Four Falcons claimed six first place finishes and the squad set season-high marks on the rings and H-bar.

A highlight of the event came on the pommel horse where specialist Patrick Hoopes broke his own Academy record, scoring a 15.400 to claim the event. Sophomore teammate Sam Brown posted an impressive 14.350 to claim second, while Jack Matlock placed fifth with a 13.850, helping the team to a first-place finish in the event. Hoopes has yet to score under 14.350 this season and has hit the 15.000+ mark twice.

Oliver Zavel had a solid performance, claiming first place in the floor exercise (14.150) and first on the still rings (13.350). His floor score was a personal season best mark. Zavel also reached the podium on the P-bar, placing second with a 13.800.

Junior all-arounder Erich Upton had a stellar showing, claiming first in the all-around (79.200) and first on the vault (14.700). Upton has exceeded 14.000 on the vault for two weeks running and six times this season. Behind Upton's lead, Zavel, Braunton, Bryan Woffinden and Jake Sampier helped AF to a first-place team finish in the event.

Senior Garrett Braunton claimed first place on the H-bar, tying his personal season best mark of 14.100. Braunton also made the podium on the rings (T2, 13.300), and P-bars (2^nd, 13.750). The Falcons scored a season-high 65.550 on the rings with the help of Tai Gopaul (T5, 13.200) and Denis Irimiea (7^th, 13.050).

As a team, the Falcons placed second on the floor exercise (67.500) and rings (65.550), third on the parallel bars (66.550), and fifth on the H-bar (63.700).

FINAL TEAM SCORES

Air Force - 401.650
Navy - 398.250
Greenville - 390.750
Springfield - 388.350
William & Mary - 381.350
Simpson - 358.850

Next up, Falcons will compete in day two of the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National individual event finals. Action in Cadet West Gym kicks off at 1 p.m. MT. Fans can watch live on the Air Force Athletics YouTube channel and live results will be available on Virtius.

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