Okamoto, Mannhart Named MPSF Gymnasts

2/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

Feb. 22, 2012

#11 AIR FORCE Claimed four event titles in defending its All-Academy Championship title last Saturday in San Jose, CA. The Falcons scored a 327.800 to defeat service academy rivals Navy (325.650) and Army (317.600). James Okamoto picked up a pair of first-place finishes, on a career-high pommel horse (14.600), in addition to a 14.000 on high bar. Josh Ramos and Devin Menefee also claimed event titles. As the former scored a career-best matching 14.600 to easily win the floor, bettering the field by nearly one point. Menefee claimed an easy victory on still rings (14.800). Air Force meets Army again, for a Friday (Feb. 24) showdown in West Point, NY, followed by a Sunday (Feb. 26) dual at Temple.

#5 CALIFORNIA narrowly defeated No. 4 Stanford, 344.900-343.600 on Saturday evening at Burnham Pavilion in Palo Alto. Also competing in the meet was a team of Japanese all-stars. Cal claimed four team titles on the night. Dennis Mannhart won parallel bars (15.200) and Donothan Bailey was second all-around (87.200) and floor (15.100). Matthew Del Junco was third on horse (14.800). Cal is off until Mar. 24.

#4 STANFORD scored 343.600 in the home meet with California and a team of Japanese All-stars. John Martin and Gabe Alvarado placed one-two on horse, with a 15.300 and 15.200, respectively. Likewise, Sean Senters (15.500) and Cale Robinson (15.000) performed the top vaults. James Fosco was the top collegian on rings (15.400). The Cardinal host No. 8 Michigan Sunday (Feb. 26).

#1 OKLAHOMA is coming off a bye week, as Iowa visits Norman on Staurday (Feb. 25). Last time out on Feb. 12, the Sooners claimed a tri-meet victory at California, placing ahead of Stanford and the host Bears. OU totaled 351.600, winning floor (59.500) and rings (60.300) along the way. Jake Dalton was second all-around (86.700), backed by a floor title (15.600), runner-up rings routine (15.200), and third-place high bar (15.000). Chris Stehl shared second on rings with Dalton. Oklahoma swept the top-four spots on floor.

OKAMOTO, MANNHART - MPSF GYMNASTS OF THE WEEK
Air Force junior James Okamoto (Yorba Linda, CA) won two events to lead the Falcons to their second consecutive All-Academy Championship title last Saturday. He took first on the pommel horse with a career-best matching 14.600, tying the third-highest score in Academy history. Okamoto also won the high bar with a 14.000, just 0.100 off of his personal-best.

California senior Dennis Mannhart (Neuhausen, Switzerland) won two events amongst NCAA competition in the win at No. 4 Stanford last Saturday. Also competing against Japanese All-Stars, Mannhart claimed the top spot on parallel bars (15.200) and high bar (14.500) against domestic competitors to key the upset on the road.