The Stanford Cardinal men's gymnastics program, a formidable entity representing Stanford University in the prestigious Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, is a dynasty carved from discipline and an almost unsettling pursuit of perfection. Under the guidance of Head Coach Thom Glielmi, the Cardinal has not merely competed; they have dominated, amassing an astounding 11 NCAA National Championships. The most recent triumph, a resounding victory in 2024, cemented their legacy as a perennial powerhouse. Their home turf, the Burnham Pavilion, has witnessed countless displays of athletic prowess, echoing with the cheers of a dedicated fanbase. The team's iconic colors, cardinal and white, have become synonymous with excellence in collegiate gymnastics.
Championship Pedigree
The sheer volume of national championships achieved by the Stanford Cardinal men's gymnastics team is a testament to their sustained excellence. With victories spanning multiple decades, including a remarkable streak of recent titles in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, the program has consistently redefined the pinnacle of collegiate gymnastics. This unparalleled success is not merely a matter of talent, but a reflection of a deeply ingrained culture of dedication, rigorous training, and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of human athletic potential. The NCAA Championships have become a familiar stage for the Cardinal, a proving ground where their mettle is tested and, more often than not, triumphant.
A Legacy of Dominance: NCAA Championship Results
The historical record of the Stanford Cardinal men's gymnastics team at the NCAA Championships reads like a chronicle of sustained excellence. Their journey to becoming a dominant force in collegiate gymnastics is marked by consistent high finishes and an impressive number of national titles.
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Early Triumphs and Consistent Contention: The program first announced its championship aspirations in the late 20th century, securing victories in 1992, 1993, and 1995. These early successes laid the foundation for what would become a dynasty. Prior to these wins, the team demonstrated their competitive edge with notable finishes, including a 3rd place in 1986 and 1996, a 4th place in 1989, and a 5th place in 1991. Even in years where the top spot eluded them, such as 1994 where they secured 2nd place, their presence at the pinnacle of the sport was undeniable. The early 2000s saw continued strong performances, with 6th place finishes in 2002 and 2006, followed by a 3rd place finish in 2007.
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The Modern Dynasty: The 21st century has been particularly dominant for the Cardinal. The resurgence began with a 2nd place finish in 2008, closely followed by their triumphant return to the top with victories in 2009, 2011, and then an extraordinary run of consecutive championships from 2019 through 2024. This period of sustained dominance is unprecedented, showcasing a remarkable ability to consistently produce world-class talent and execute flawlessly under pressure. Even during this era of unparalleled success, the team has occasionally placed 2nd (2010, 2015, 2016, 2025), demonstrating that even their silver medal finishes are among the nation's elite. Other notable finishes in this period include 3rd place in 2013 and 2014, and 4th place in 2017 and 2018, underscoring their perennial status as a top contender. The scores themselves tell a story of ever-increasing difficulty and precision, with performances like the 425.324 in their 2024 championship victory representing the zenith of collegiate gymnastics.
The Roster: A Glimpse into the Future and Present
The 2025–2026 Roster of the Stanford Cardinal men's gymnastics team is a curated collection of talent, reflecting a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Each athlete, hailing from diverse geographical backgrounds, contributes to the team's rich tapestry of skill and dedication.
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Senior Leadership: The senior class, comprising Arun Chheti (5'6" from Encino, California), Asher Hong (5'1" from Tomball, Texas), Nicolas Kuebler (5'6", R-SR from Seattle, Washington), and Marcus Kushner (5'10" from Hillsborough, California), provides a crucial foundation of experience and leadership. These athletes have weathered the pressures of elite competition and are poised to lead the team through another successful season.
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Junior Powerhouses: The junior class, including Zach Green (5'7" from San Jose, California), Reece Landsperger (5'7" from Chandler, Arizona), Toma Murakawa (5'4" from Van Nuys, California), and David Shamah (5'6" from McKinney, Texas), represents the vital core of the team, bringing a potent combination of established skill and hunger for more victories.
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Sophomore Prospects: The sophomore contingent, featuring Xander Hong (from Tomball, Texas), Cooper Kim (from Grand Ledge, Michigan), Kiran Mandava (from Cypress, Texas), Wade Nelson (from Santa Ana, California), Marcus Pietarinen (from Vantaa, Finland), Deano Roberts (from Portola Valley, California), and Kai Uemura (from Chicago, Illinois), demonstrates the program's depth and the ongoing influx of talent.
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Freshman Aspirations: The freshman class, consisting of Jun Iwai (from Lewisville, Texas), Joey Nieves (from Littleton, Colorado), Divier Ramos-Delgado (from Methuen, Massachusetts), and Michael Scheiner (from Great Falls, Virginia), represents the future of the Cardinal, eager to make their mark and contribute to the team's storied legacy.
Coaching Staff: Architects of Excellence
The enduring success of the Stanford Cardinal men's gymnastics program is inextricably linked to the vision and dedication of its coaching staff.
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Thom Glielmi, the esteemed Head Coach, has been at the helm since 2003, shaping the program into a national powerhouse. His tenure has been defined by an unparalleled ability to cultivate talent, instill a winning mentality, and consistently guide the team to national championships.
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Assisting Glielmi in 2024 was Rubén López Martínez, bringing his expertise to the coaching staff. For the 2025 season, the team will benefit from the addition of Carlos Hernandez-Ojeda and Mitchell Soukup as Assistant Coaches, further strengthening the support system for the athletes.
NCAA Champions: A Pantheon of Talent
The annals of NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships are adorned with the names of Stanford gymnasts, a testament to the program's rich history and the caliber of athletes it has produced.
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Team Dominance: The Cardinal has secured an impressive 10 Team National Championships, with victories in 1992, 1993, 1995, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
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Individual Brilliance: Beyond team accolades, Stanford gymnasts have achieved remarkable individual success across all apparatus:
- All-Around: Steve Hug (1972, 1973, 1974), Jon Louis (1986), Akash Modi (2015, 2017), Brody Malone (2019, 2021), and Khoi Young (2024) have claimed the coveted All-Around title, showcasing their mastery across multiple events.
- Floor Exercise: Mark Booth (1994), Ian Bachrach (1996), Eddie Penev (2012), Brody Malone (2019), Bryan Perla (2022), Nick Kuebler (2023), and Asher Hong (2025) have demonstrated exceptional artistry and power on the floor.
- Pommel Horse: Ted Marcy (1974, 1975, 1976) and Brody Malone (2022) have conquered the challenging pommel horse.
- Rings: Marshall Erwin (2002), Alex Schorsch (2007), Dennis Zaremski (2016), Riley Loos (2022), and Asher Hong (2024, 2025) have displayed immense strength and control on the rings.
- Vault: Ian Bachrach (1995), Dan Gill (2002), David Sender (2006, 2007), Eddie Penev (2010, 2012), Sean Senters (2015), and Asher Hong (2023, 2024) have soared to victory on the vault.
- Parallel Bars: Steve Hug (1973, 1974), Jair Lynch (1993), Jamie Ellis (1996), Ryan Lieberman (2010), Brian Knott (2015), Akash Modi (2016, 2017), Curran Phillips (2022), and Asher Hong (2024) have showcased their precision and strength on the parallel bars.
- Horizontal Bar: Jair Lynch (1992), Dylan Carney (2006), Alex Buscaglia (2011), Akash Modi (2016), Robert Neff (2017, 2018), and Brody Malone (2019, 2021, 2022) have demonstrated mastery of the high-flying horizontal bar.
Athlete Awards: Recognizing Elite Achievement
The recognition bestowed upon Stanford gymnasts extends beyond championship titles, with numerous athletes receiving prestigious individual awards that highlight their exceptional contributions to the sport.
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Nissen-Emery Award: Often referred to as the "Heisman of Gymnastics," this award is presented to the most outstanding senior collegiate gymnast. Stanford recipients include Steve Hug (1974), Josh Stein (1995), Dan Gill (2004), Eddie Penev (2013), Akash Modi (2017), Brody Malone (2022), and Colt Walker (2024).
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CGA Gymnast of the Year: Taylor Burkhart received this honor in 2025.
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CGA Rookie of the Year: This award has recognized emerging talent, with Brody Malone (2019), Brandon Briones (2020), and Asher Hong (2023) earning the distinction.
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CGA Specialist of the Year: Curran Phillips was recognized as the top specialist in 2022.
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MPSF Gymnast of the Year: This conference-level award has been presented multiple times to Stanford athletes, including Dan Gill (2004), Sho Nakamori (2009), Tim Gentry (2011), Akash Modi (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Brody Malone (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), Asher Hong (2023, 2024), and Taylor Burkhart (2025).
Stanford Gymnasts at the Olympics: Representing on the World Stage
The excellence cultivated within the Stanford program extends to the international arena, with numerous Cardinal gymnasts representing their countries at the Olympic Games.
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Olympic Medalists and Participants:
- Steve Hug competed for the United States in 1972 and 1976.
- Jair Lynch earned a bronze medal on parallel bars for the United States at the 1996 Olympics, also competing in 1992.
- David Jessen represented the Czech Republic in 2016 and 2020.
- Brody Malone was part of the United States silver medal-winning team in 2020.
- Asher Hong and Brody Malone were part of the United States team that secured a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics.
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Olympic Alternates: The depth of talent is further evidenced by the gymnasts who have served as Olympic alternates: Josh Stein (1996), David Durante (2008), Akash Modi (2016), Brandon Briones (2020), and Khoi Young (2024). These athletes, while not competing, represent the elite level of training and dedication within the program.