University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Air Force
Gophers Erupt for 413.250 at Air Force
2/3/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Final Results
Don't Miss the Gophers at Home Next Saturday!
The Gophers notched the top vault score in the entire NCAA so far this season in a 413.250-400.450 victory over Air Force this afternoon.
The 413.250 is the second highest mark in the entire country so far this season. Only Stanford's 414.100 earlier this year is higher. The Gophers took home five event titles.
"We were on the road and we posted our highest score of the season so I was pleased with that. We had some incredible routines today out there but still have a few rough spots to clean up," head coach Mike Burns said. "It was extremely gratifying to take these guys on the road and come away with such an impressive victory."
POMMEL HORSE
Justin Karstadt scored a season high 13.900 to lead the Gophers on pommel horse and win the event title. Fellow seniors Tristan Duran and Luke Aldrich each added 13.350s on Minnesota's first event of the afternoon.
FLOOR
The Gophers were led by a trio of season highs on floor. Aldrich anchored the floor lineup with a season high 14.300 to win the event title. Vitali Kan scored a season high 14.150 and Alex Wittenberg also recorded a season high with a 13.800. Michael Harris went down with an injury during floor impacting the Gophers lineup in multiple events.
"As a coach it's always good to be able to watch your team handle adversity. When Michael Harris went down with an ankle injury we had to adjust the lineup and reestablish momentum," Burns said. "These guys rallied together and were able to finish the meet strongly which tells me a lot about what they are made of."
VAULT
Vault continued to be a bright spot for the Gophers. After a 70.600 last weekend, the Gophers scored a 73.000 which is the highest mark in the entire country so far this season. Kan and Wittenberg went 14.750 back-to-back before Yaroslav Pochinka recorded a 14.950 to win the title. Wiskus wasn't far behind with a 14.700 and Duran, who was thrust into the lineup late, scored a 13.850.
STILL RINGS
Pochinka was the top Gopher on rings with a 14.300 and took second overall on the event. Herzog notched a 13.750 and freshman Colton Dee and Jalon Stephens each added a 13.600. Russell Johnson made his collegiate debut opening up the rings rotation with a 13.400.
HIGH BAR
Duran led the way with a season high 14.400 on high bar for the event title. Stephens also hit a new season high with a 14.250. Herzog finished with a 13.800. The Gophers 67.400 is the second highest high bar score in the country so far this season.
PARALLEL BARS
Wiskus led the way with a 14.400 on p-bars to bring home the title. This was the first meet that Wiskus did not compete all-around this season. Herzog continued to shine on the event with a 14.150 and Duran tallied a 13.900. Minnesota's 69.350 is the fourth highest mark in the NCAA so far this year.
UP NEXT
The Maroon and Gold return home next Saturday to host Illinois at 2:30 p.m.
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Players Mentioned
