University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Nebraska/UMN Club
Minnesota Tops Nebraska, UMN Club Team
2/4/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota placed first with a score of 400.750 in a tri-meet with Nebraska (396.700) and the University of Minnesota Club Team (218.150) on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Pavilion.
"I knew having Nebraska here was going to be a challenge, they've been a really hot team," head coach Mike Burns said. "I reminded our team of our goals from the fall. They stepped up after being handed some adversity."
By event, Minnesota scored a 64.450 on floor, 64.600 on pommel horse, 68.600 on rings, 72.100 on vault, 65.600 on parallel bars and 65.400 on high bar.
Gophers Shaun Herzog and Yaroslav Pochinka tied for silver on floor with scores of 13.150. Luke Aldrich picked up fifth with a 12.900.
Justin Karstadt scored a 13.900 on pommel horse for second place. Alex Wittenberg tied for fourth with Husker Jordan King after each posted a 13.350. Aldrich again was Minnesota's third-best performer with a 12.900 for seventh.
Karstadt was named event champion on rings after notching a 14.400. Pochinka followed for silver with a 14.150, and senior Mitchell Soukup picked up fourth with a 13.800.
Minnesota swept the podium on vault. Pochinka earned gold with a 14.750, Vitali Kan notched a 14.650 and Joel Gagnon followed with a 14.550. The Gophers' 72.100 on vault was a season high.
"Pochinka's vault was outstanding once again," Burns said. "In all three of his events he goes out and performs really well."
Karstadt led the Gophers again on parallel bars, finishing second with a 13.950. Gagnon finished fifth with a 13.350, and rookie Timmy Kutyla followed with a personal record of 13.200.
On high bar, Jalon Stephens claimed gold with a 13.850. Gagnon placed third with a 13.200, and was followed by Herzog's 13.150 for fourth.
In the all-around competition, Karstadt took home the gold with a 82.000. The next closest finisher was Nebraska's Chris Stephenson who scored a 76.150.
"Karstadt's all-around performance was the highlight of the meet," Burns said. "He had a banner night, he put together an elite-level performance."
Next Up
The Gophers will travel to Iowa City, Iowa next week to face the Hawkeyes and reigning national champion Oklahoma. The meet is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
