Two Huskers Collect Medals at Big Ten Finals

Two Nebraska men gymnasts garnered three total conference medals after they showcased a top-three finish at the 2024 Big Ten Conference Championships on Saturday night. Cooper Giles claimed the bronze on pommel horse (14.25), while Taylor Christopulos claimed the bronze on high bar (14.125) in addition to the silver in the all-around (83.10).

Christopulos was named a First-Team All-Big Ten selection, while Giles earned Second-Team All-Big Ten accolades. Giles was also named a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honoree.

Floor
Chase led off the meet for the Cornhuskers on floor where he registered at 13.10, finishing in ninth place. Luke James followed, notching a solid 14.05 and earning a podium-finish in sixth place. Taylor Christopulos concluded the event rotation for the finalists by scoring a 13.30, finishing in eighth place.

Michigan’s Landen Blixt and Illinois’ Connor McCool shared the event title on floor (14.50).

Pommel Horse
Nathan York represented Nebraska on pommel horse where he scored a 12.70 in the individual finals, earning a podium-finish and landing in fifth overall. Cooper Giles anchored the Huskers with an impressive score of 14.25, capturing third place overall to collect the bronze medal on pommel horse for NU.

Illinois’ Brandon Dang collected the event title on pommel horse (14.80).

Rings
Sam Phillips competed on still rings where he garnered a 13.50 for Nebraska, taking tenth position overall. Asher Cohen put up a score of 13.97 5 to conclude the event rotation for Nebraska, earning a podium-finish in fourth place.

Illinois’ Ashton Anaya earned the event title on rings (14.20).

Vault
After a brief touch period, the competition transitioned into the three finals events of the evening. Mondi opened the Huskers vault lineup where he notched a 14.375 podium-finish in sixth place. Christopulos claimed a strong 14.625, finishing with a fourth place podium-finish.

Illinois’ Amari Sewell collected the event title on vault (14.825).

Parallel Bars
Christopulos solely represented the Huskers on parallel bars where he put up a score of 13.625, finishing in seventh position.

Michigan’s Crew Bold earned the event title on parallel bars (14.55).

High Bar
Max Odden represented the Big Red on high bar where he put up a 13.375, claiming tenth place. Christopulos closed out the night for the NU lineup with an impressive score of 14.125, good for third place in the standings to collect the bronze medal on high bar.

Penn State’s Michael Jaroh earned the event title on high bar (14.325).

Michigan’s Fred Richard was named Gymnast of the Championships, while Michigan’s head coach Yuan Xiao earned Big Ten Coach of the Year for the third-consecutive year. Richard also claimed the all-around title last night during the first day of competition for the second-consecutive year (83.90). Fred Richard was awarded Big Ten Gymnast of the Year accolades.

Up Next
The Huskers return to competition Friday, April 19, for the qualifier round of the NCAA Championships at Ohio State. Session I is set to begin at noon while Session II will begin at 6 p.m. (CT). Fans can keep up with live updates by following @HuskerMGym on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

First Team All-Big Ten
Ashton Anaya
Tate Costa
Brandon Dang
Connor McCool
Amari Sewell
Landon Blixt
Crew Bold
Fred Richard
Taylor Christopulos
Michael Artlip
Michael Jaroh
Josh Karnes

Second Team All-Big Ten
Michael Fletcher
Paul Juda
Rithik Puri
Evgeny Siminiuc
Chris Read
Cooper Giles
Kameron Nelson
Caden Spencer
Parker Thackston