Falcons Fall to Oklahoma in Season-Opening Matchup

NORMAN, Okla. -- The ninth-ranked Air Force men's gymnastics team kicked off the 2025 campaign this afternoon (Jan. 12) with a loss to third-ranked Oklahoma on the Sooners' home floor in Norman. During the first meet of the new 'four-up, four-count' scoring era of NCAA Gymnastics – and a lineup that saw freshmen account for one-fourth of their routines, the Falcons dropped a 318.200-299.000 decision to the host Sooners inside McCasland Field House.

Backed by a runner-up finish from senior Patrick Hoopes, Air Force accounted for two of the top three finishes on the pommel horse – an event where just 0.050 separated the two programs in the final totals (Air Force 51.600, Oklahoma 51.650). Hoopes opened his season with a 14.350 on his signature event, while junior Jack Matlock added a 13.400 to finish third

Senior Erich Upton, the only gymnast on either squad to compete in the all-around (76.350), was the Falcons' top finisher on three of the six events – a list headlined by a season-opening, third-place score of 13.900 on the vault. Upton also placed within the top half of the field on the still rings, using a 13.150 to finish fourth, and added a score of 13.400 to place fifth on the floor exercise.

Posting a 12.750 on the high bar, junior Tai Gopaul also collected a third-place finish during today's meet, while senior Charlie Miles rounded out the Falcons' list of event leaders by placing within the top half of field on the parallel bars (12.900, fourth).

The Falcons and Sooners will face off again next weekend, when the two squads join Arizona State, Nebraska, Simpson and Stanford at the Academy for the Falcons' annual Rocky Mountain Open on Saturday, Jan. 18. Action is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. (MT) inside Cadet West Gym and tickets can be purchased at AFTickets.com.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.