Buckeyes Shine at U.S. Gymnastics Championships
Nelson Secures World Team Spot, Leads Ohio State Contingent
Six collegiate gymnasts from Ohio State proved their mettle at the Xfinity U.S. Championships in New Orleans this past weekend. The talented group showcased their skills in the demanding all-around and specialized events.
Nelson Earns World Championships Berth
Leading the charge was Kameron Nelson, who not only secured a place on the Senior Men’s National Team but also qualified for the Senior Men’s World Championships Team. The prestigious championships are scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 19th to 25th.
Nelson delivered a stellar performance, clinching second place on both the floor exercise and the vault. His combined two-day score for the floor exercise was 29.952, while his vault total reached 29.120. He also achieved a tenth-place finish on the rings with a score of 26.450.
Thackston Excels on Pommel Horse
Specialist Parker Thackston made his mark on the pommel horse, securing a sixth-place finish. He posted scores of 13.955 and 13.350 in the event.
All-Around Competitors Show Resilience
The all-around competition saw four Buckeyes demonstrating their versatility. David Ramirez finished eleventh with a total score of 156.350, scoring 78.550 on day one and 77.800 on day two. His highest event placement was thirteenth on the rings (26.050).
Drake Andrews claimed twelfth place in the all-around, tallying 154.950 points. He scored 78.150 in the preliminary round and 76.800 in the finals. Andrews‘ meet highlight was an eleventh-place finish on the high bar with a score of 26.700.
Kristian Grahovski concluded the all-around competition in fourteenth place, achieving a score of 154.550. He improved from 76.150 on the first day to 78.400 on the final day. Grahovski‘s 26.750 on the high bar earned him ninth place.
Jesse Pakele finished nineteenth in the all-around with a combined score of 152.050. After scoring 74.100 on the first day, he improved to 77.950 in the final round. Pakele‘s standout performance was a fourteenth-place finish on the floor exercise, where he scored 26.900 with identical 13.450 scores on both days.
The success of these Buckeyes underscores the strength of collegiate gymnastics programs. In 2023, NCAA Men’s Gymnastics saw record attendance figures, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity and the high level of talent on display (NCAA, 2023).
