Michigan Tops 2023-24 Big Ten Men’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Michigan was selected to win the 2023-24 Big Ten Conference men’s gymnastics championship, according to a poll of the Big Ten coaches released on Wednesday. 

Last season, the Wolverines claimed their fourth regular season title and third consecutive Big Ten championship, and 20th overall, before finishing second at the 2023 NCAA Championship.

In Wednesday’s preseason conference poll, Michigan was followed by Illinois, Nebraska, Penn State, and Ohio State. 

All five Big Ten programs competed in the 2023 NCAA Championships, with Illinois joining Michigan on the podium with a third-place finish. Nebraska finished fifth, while championship host Penn State placed sixth. 

In addition to Wednesday’s preseason Big Ten poll, the conference unveiled the 2024 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List, as selected by the conference coaches.

Highlighting the 10-person Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List are Michigan’s Fred Richard, last season’s unanimous choice for Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the reigning NCAA champion in the all-around, high bar, and parallel bars, and last season’s Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, Nebraska’s Taylor Christopulos. 

Michigan’s two-time Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Paul Juda and 2023 All-Big Ten performers Kameron Nelson and Josh Karnes from Ohio State and Penn State, respectively, were also named to the list.   

The 2024 season will get underway on Jan. 5, when Penn State hosts Army, with Michigan slated to face Greenville and Simpson one day later. Ohio State will open its season on Jan. 13 with a visit from Greenville, while Illinois will join Michigan at the Windy City Invitational. Nebraska will make its season debut on Jan. 20 when it visits Air Force. 

Illinois’ State Farm Center will play host to the 2024 Big Ten Men’s Gymnastics Championships on April 5-6 in Champaign, Ill. The 2024 NCAA Championships will remain in Big Ten country, as Ohio State will host the event on April 19-20 for the fifth time.

The complete 2023-24 Big Ten Men’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll and Gymnasts to Watch List follows:

2023-24 BIG TEN MEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON POLL

1.         Michigan

2.         Illinois

3.         Nebraska

4.         Penn State

5.         Ohio State

2023-24 BIG TEN MEN’S GYMNASTICS – GYMNASTS TO WATCH

Tate Costa, So., Illinois

Brandon Dang, Fr., Illinois

Fred Richard, So., Michigan

Paul Juda, Gr., Michigan

Taylor Christopulos, Sr., Nebraska

Sam Phillips, Sr., Nebraska

Kameron Nelson, Sr., Ohio State

Parker Thackston, So., Ohio State

Josh Karnes, Jr., Penn State

Ian Raubal, So., Penn State