University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Arnold Challenge (Ohio State, Ukraine)
Gophers Take Second at Arnold Challenge
3/4/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota placed second with a score of 413.300 at the 2017 Arnold Challenge against Ohio State (415.250) and Ukraine's National Team (398.400) on Saturday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.
"With Arnold Schwarzenegger in the stands watching our meet, we put on a solid show for the Terminator," head coach Mike Burns said. "In spite of a few falls, we had some solid highlight performances."
By event, the Gophers recorded a 67.250 on floor, a 66.250 on pommel horse, a 69.650 on rings, a 71.550 on vault, a 70.600 on parallel bars, and a 68.000 on high bar.
Minnesota kicked off the meet on pommel horse; Justin Karstadt earned bronze with a 14.350. Alex Wittenberg was not far behind as he placed fourth with a 13.700. Luke Aldrich turned in a 13.400, finishing ninth overall.
Karstadt again led the team with a fourth-place finish on rings with a score of 14.300. Yaroslav Pochinka notched a 14.050 to tie for sixth. Jalon Stephens placed eighth with a 13.900.
Wittenberg earned silver on floor with a 14.700. Vitali Kan followed with a bronze finish after scoring a 14.300. Aldrich rounded out the top three finishers with a 13.550 for 10th.
"Wittenberg had a banner performance with a season-high score on floor," Burns said. "It included a stuck triple full dismount. He also posted a solid pommel horse routine, his second-highest of the season."
Ben Winkel had an outstanding performance on parallel bars as he recorded a new personal record and placed second with a 14.500. Karstadt took fourth with a 14.300, while Tristan Duran finished sixth with a 14.200.
"Big kudos to Winkel who stepped up," Burns said. "It was topped off with a beautiful stuck double pike."
Jalon Stephens received bronze on high bar with a 14.100. Joel Gagnon and Shaun Herzog tied for fourth after each scored a 13.650.
Senior Zach Liebler placed second on vault for the second-straight meet, improving his score to a 14.750. Pochinka earned bronze with a 14.550, followed by Kan's 14.400 for fourth.
Karstadt took home gold on all-around with a score 83.200, a season best.
"Karstadt put in a championship-level performance in the all-around today," Burns said. "Aldrich has also been consistently hitting sets in recent weeks and today was no different. We ask our guys to go out and hit their sets, and he has been listening well!"
Minnesota will return to the Sports Pavilion for a two-meet homestand after four weeks away. The Gophers are set to host Iowa and the Arizona State club team on Saturday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at mygophersports.com.
Players Mentioned
