There may only be five meets this weekend, but each one of them carries big standings and postseason implications. Two Big Ten meets where the rankings couldn’t be any closer will bookend an Oklahoma road meet where the Sooners need to put up a big score to retake the top ranking before championship season begins.
As always, you’ll find everything you need to follow along with all the meets happening this weekend, including previews of the top matchups and every scoring and video link you could ever need.
Can’t-Miss Matchups
No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Illinois at No. 5 Penn State
When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Saturday, March 16 at 4:00 p.m. ET
Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: The top three ranked teams in the Big Ten will all square off with the regular season title still at stake. To say this should be a close battle would be an understatement. Illinois comes in ranked the highest of the three on pommel horse and vault, Penn State on rings and high bar, and Michigan on floor and parallel bars. Michigan’s Cameron Bock, Penn State’s Sam Zakutney, and Illinois’ Alex Diab will all need to be on fire to keep their teams in the race, but each of their supporting casts of gymnasts will be difference-makers.
Routines to Avoid Going to the Bathroom During: Cameron Bock (Michigan) on parallel bars, Alex Diab (Illinois) on rings, Clay Mason Stephens (Illinois) on vault, Jacob Moore (Michigan) on floor, Stephen Nedoroscik (Penn State) on pommel horse, Sam Zakutney (Penn State) on high bar
What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: In the race for the Big Ten regular season title, Penn State has a record of 1-1 while Michigan and Illinois sit at 2-1.
No. 9 Ohio State at No. 8 Iowa
When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: Separated by only one tenth in the rankings, this Big Ten dual meet should be just as exciting as this weekend’s Big Ten tri-meet. Ohio State has more star power with former world team member Alec Yoder on its roster, but the Buckeyes have fallen prone to inconsistency at times this season while Iowa has been more consistent all season long. The Hawkeyes have a lower higher score than the Buckeyes and only outrank them on one event—high bar—but Ohio State shouldn’t underestimate Iowa as it has done enough to pull off upsets against higher ranked opponents in Michigan and Nebraska two weeks in a row.
Routines to Avoid Going to the Bathroom During: Jake Brodarzon (Iowa) on rings, Andrew Herrador (Iowa) on high bar, Bennet Huang (Iowa) on floor, Sean Neighbarger (Ohio State) on vault, Jesse Tyndall (Ohio State) on parallel bars, Alec Yoder (Ohio State) on pommel horse
What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: Ohio State sits at 2-2 in the Big Ten regular season standings while Iowa has a share of the lead with a 2-1 record.
Meet You Didn’t Know You Should Be Interested In
No. 12 Army, No. 16 Springfield, and No. 19 Temple at No. 14 William & Mary
When the Meet’s Happening: Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Why You Should See the Error of Your Ways: While Army shouldn’t have much of a problem winning the team title, this meet will feature several individual routines and event title battles worth watching. Army, though, does need a good team score to keep itself in position to make the NCAA championships later this year, so look for freshman Matt Davis and senior Cole Casanova to impress in the all around and boost the Black Knights. William & Mary gymnasts David Watkins, Cutter Fugett and Andrew Lyubovsky have each won several event titles in the past few weeks, so look for that trio to test the Army gymnasts for the top spots. Springfield’s Stephen Lewis, if competing six events, can challenge Casanova and Davis in the all around, while Temple will look to put up a big score to continue its resurgent season.
Routines to Look Up on YouTube Before the Meet That Prove Our Point: Cole Casanova (Army) on vault, Matt Davis (Army) on high bar, Nicolino Dibattista (Temple) on floor, Jacopo Gliozzi (William & Mary) on pommel horse, Stephen Lewis (Springfield) on parallel bars, David Watkins (William & Mary) on rings
Meet You Should at Least Record and Watch Later
No. 2 Oklahoma at No. 10 Navy
When to Find It on the TV Guide: Saturday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After Oklahoma dropped to second in the rankings this week due to having lower road scores than Stanford, the Sooners will likely be firing on all cylinders as they aim to retake the top spot. Navy won’t factor into the team picture, especially after Oklahoma’s NCAA-leading 425 last weekend, but the Midshipmen have several gymnasts who can steal some top three finishes from Sooners if they hit their routines to their potential. Navy will also be trying to put up a big score to help solidify its place as an NCAA championships qualifying team.
Routines to Check Out If You Can’t Rewatch Everything: Lucas Beltran (Navy) on vault, Cash Buske (Navy) on high bar, Gage Dyer (Oklahoma) on floor, Jake Maloley (Oklahoma) on rings, Yul Moldauer (Oklahoma) on parallel bars, Ryan Orce (Navy) on pommel horse
No. 13 Air Force at No. 6 Minnesota
When to Find It on the TV Guide: Sunday, March 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: As the highest ranked team yet to break the 410 barrier, Minnesota will be looking to do so to try and reassert itself amongst the top three Big Ten teams once again. Air Force will also be hoping for a high score, as it sits a few points behind Army in the rankings for the 12th and final spot to qualify for the NCAA championships. If the Falcons want to compete in Champaign, Illinois next month, they will need to start making moves now, and this weekend will be key for them.
Routines to Check Out If You Can’t Rewatch Everything: Ryan Girouard (Air Force) on floor, Justin Karstadt (Minnesota) on pommel horse, David Pochinka (Minnesota) on parallel bars, Lukas Texeira (Air Force) on high bar, Jonah Urlaub (Air Force) on vault, Shane Wiskus (Minnesota) on rings
Links and Things
These aren’t the only meets happening this weekend. To see all the matchups all in one place, take a look at our master schedule. You can also find live scoring and video links for all this weekend’s competitions below.
| Date | Time (ET) | Teams | Scoring Link | Video Link |
| Sat, March 16 | 1 p.m. | Army, Springfield, Temple at William & Mary | Scores | Facebook Live |
| Sat, March 16 | 1 p.m. | Ohio State at Iowa | Scores | BTN+ |
| Sat, March 16 | 2 p.m. | Oklahoma at Navy | Scores | |
| Sat, March 16 | 4 p.m. | Illinois, Michigan at Penn State | Scores | Stream |
| Sun, March 17 | 1 p.m. | Air Force at Minnesota | Scores | BTN+ |
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Article by Brandis Heffner
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