Ohio State
No. 4 Illinois
No. 7 Ohio State Falls at No. 4 Illinois on Saturday
3/16/2024 6:32:00 PM | General, Men's Gymnastics
The Buckeyes posted their second-highest team score of the season, earning 406.350 as a team.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 7 Ohio State men's gymnastics team (8-3, 1-2 B1G) fell to No. 4 Illinois (12-2, 2-1 B1G) by a 413.200-406.350 margin on Saturday in Champaign, despite earning its second-highest team score of the season.
Parker Thackston earned the Buckeyes' first event win of the day by scoring 14.700 on pommel horse. Donovan Hewitt tied for the rings win with a season-high 14.200.
Event Results
Floor
Ohio State began with a 67.500 on floor but trailed 69.300-67.500 after the first rotation. Kameron Nelson led the way with a 14.300, finishing second overall. Kazuki Hayashi (13.650), Jesse Pakele (13.400), Zach Snyder (13.350) and Chase Davenport-Mills (12.800) also competed for the Buckeyes.
Pommel Horse
The Buckeyes put together their second-best pommel set of the season with a 66.100 as a team. Behind Thackston's win, Kristian Grahovski earned a 13.300. Pakele (12.850), Davenport-Mills (12.800) and Tyler Rockwood (12.450) rounded out the OSU lineup.
Rings
Ohio State scored 67.050 as a team on rings. Behind Hewitt's win, Rockwood stuck his dismount to earn a 13.450. Grahovski also scored 13.450, his season-high. Pakele tied his career-high 13.250 and Drake Andrews made his rings debut (12.700).
Vault
The Buckeyes combined for 71.350 on vault. Nelson earned another second-place finish with a 14.550. Hayashi (14.350), Davenport-Mills (14.200) and Zach Snyder (14.200) all contributed to the Buckeyes' score. Justin Ciccone wrapped up the OSU lineup with his fifth vault stick of the season (14.050).
Parallel Bars
Ohio State earned its best team score on parallel bars this season by totaling 68.500. Caden Spencer was the event's runner-up with a 14.050. Jakob Murray stuck his dismount for a 13.850 and Hayashi scored a season-high 13.750. Rockwood (13.550) and Grahovski (career-high 13.300) rounded out the Buckeyes' lineup.
High Bar
The Buckeyes wrapped up the meet with their second-highest high bar total of the season (65.850), including four stuck dismounts. Harmon's career-high 14.050 with the stick was good for runner-up, while Hayashi's season-high 13.950 with the stick was third overall. Thackston also earned a career-high 13.500. Spencer (12.300, stick) and Davenport-Mills (12.050, stick) rounded out OSU's scores.
What They Said
Head Coach Rustam Sharipov: "I'm proud of the team and their grit today. We had to make a few last-minute adjustments prior to the competition, but they handled the adversity. The score doesn't reflect the ability of our team. We are looking forward to bouncing back at home against Nebraska on Tuesday, March 26 at 4 p.m. in our last meet before the postseason!"
Up Next
Ohio State wraps up the regular season on Tuesday, March 26 at 4 p.m. ET in a dual meet against Nebraska. The meet will be broadcast on BTN.
Ohio State hosts the NCAA Championships on April 19-20 inside the Covelli Center with the qualifiers on Friday and the Championships on Saturday. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased HERE for single session tickets and HERE for all-session tickets. All seating is general admission. View the full 2023-24 Ohio State men's gymnastics schedule HERE.
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