Falcons Set to Host Mavericks on Senior Day

The 11th-ranked Ari Force men's gymnastics team returns to the Academy this Saturday (Feb. 28), when it hosts the Rocky Mountain Mavericks on Senior Day. Admission is free for the 4:00 p.m. (MT) competition, which will be held at Cadet West Gym.

MEET INFORMATION
Air Force will face off with the Rocky Mountain Mavericks at 4:00 p.m. (MT) inside Cadet East Gyn on Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is free. The meet will be streamed live on the Air Force Athletics YouTube page, while live scoring will be available via Virtius (direct links are available on the team's schedule page at GoAirForceFalcons.com).

AIR FORCE vs ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAVERICKS
Saturday | February 28 | 4:00 pm MT
USAFA | Cadet West Gym
Watch | Live Results | Base Access | Free Admission

BASE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The U.S. Air Force Academy has adjusted the process to access the installation, which will affect the Rocky Mountain Open. While the installation remains open for events, if you do not have a DoD ID card, you will need to obtain a pass to enter the base. Spectators must request a base pass (LINK). Once you register, you will receive a message on your phone about approval. Each adult requesting a base pass must present a valid driver's license to scan at the gate. Spectators under the age of 18, with an approved adult, are allowed to access the base for athletic events.

THANK YOU, SENIORS
Prior to Saturday's meet, the Falcons will honor its seven seniors – Keenan Berrong, Sam Brown, Tai Gopaul, Denis Irimiea, Jack Matlock, Eric Popescu, and Palmer Wright – during the squad's annual Senior Day celebration.

OPPONENT WATCH
The Rocky Mountain Mavericks are currently ranked ninth in the GymAct rankings, with an average of 278.863. Individually, Evan McGrath is ranked second among GymAct athletes on the floor exercise with a National Qualifying Average of 13.400, while Gavin Robey is listed top 10 on the still rings (sixth, 12.725). It will be the second meeting of the season between Air Force and the Rocky Mountain Mavericks, as the Falcons bettered the Mavs 302.100-266.600 during the season-opening Rocky Mountain Open in mid-January.

AIR FORCE IN THE RANKINGS
The Falcons are ranked 11th in the NCAA, with a three-meet average of 305.083, while holding top 10 team marks on the parallel bars (ninth, 50.167), high bar (ninth, 49.933), and pommel horse (10th, 51.667). Individually, Air Force has a pair of top 10 gymnasts on the pommel horse, with Jack Matlock and Sam Brown ranking eighth (13.733) and ninth (13.700), respectively, while Jared Fry is listed fourth in the all-around (78.700) and Tai Gopaul is ranked 10th on the high bar (13.233).

HOOPES RETAINS SPOT ON NATIONAL TEAM
Assistant coach 2Lt Patrick Hoopes retained his spot on the U.S. Senior National Team, as USAG Gymnastics made its first selections on Feb. 21. Hoopes, who automatically advanced following his appearance at the World Championships, also received his first international assignments, including the FIG World Cup events n Antalya and Cairo.

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE FALCONS
Air Force closes out the regular season on Saturday, March 14, when it travels to California to face off with their conference counterparts from Stanford and Cal, as well as a pair of international squads (Team Quebec, Team France).

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Keenan Berrong

Sam Brown

Jared Fry

Tai Gopaul

Denis Irimiea

Jack Matlock

Palmer Wright

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