Stanford Plays Host to Cal in Big Flip Off

Meet will take place in Maples, televised live on Pac-12 Networks

	Eddie Penev was named to U.S. Senior National Team.

Feb. 13, 2013

STANFORD, Calif. - The fourth-ranked Stanford men's gymnastics team (4-1) will play host to Bay Area rival No. 10 California (1-4) on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. for the 2013 installment of the Big Flip Off. It will be the first men's gymnastics live televised meet on the Pac-12 Networks.

A rowdy atmosphere is expected with Ike's Place sandwiches, pizza and T-shirt giveaways planned for the event. It is also a Red Zone Point game for Stanford students.

What: Dual Meet vs. No. 10 California

When: Sunday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.

Where: Maples Pavilion

Admission: Free

Follow the Action: The meet will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks. Click here to find out if you get the network and what channel it is on in your area.

Follow @SUMensGymnastic on Twitter for photos and live updates.

Cardinal Update: Stanford returns from a three-week break from team competition, as six members of the team headed to Las Vegas to compete in the Winter Cup Challenge for a spot on the U.S. Senior National team. The Cardinal dropped its most recent meet on Jan. 25 at No. 3 Michigan, 439.750-429.350.

Stanford in the Top Ten: The Cardinal has competed with a balanced team performance and is ranked in the top 10 in all six events. Below are the rankings and average team scores in each event:

Parallel bars: 4th, 72.067
High bar: 5th, 70.433
Pommel horse: 6th, 70.450
Still rings: 6th, 73.317
Vault: 6th, 72.583
Floor exercise: 7th, 72.017

Seniors Strong on Still Rings: Stanford is led on still rings by seniors James Fosco and Jordan Nolff, who rank sixth and seventh in the NCAA with average scores of 15.100 and 15.050, respectively.

Cardinal to Watch:

Eddie Penev - The senior and five-time All-American was named to the U.S. Senior National Team after finishing fourth at the Winter Cup Challenge with a combined all-around score of 169.150. Penev also claimed the vault title with a combined score of 30.300.

Penev was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Week for the week of Feb. 4-10 for his performance at the Winter Cup Challenge. It was Penev's third such honor this season.

Penev ranks fifth in the NCAA on parallel bars (14.883 avg.) and 17th on high bar (14.233).

Penev recorded a career high on parallel bars with a 15.250 and tallied Stanford's second-highest score on high bar with a 14.150 in his last collegiate meet at Michigan.

James Fosco - The senior has been dominant on rings, scoring 15.150 or higher in all three meets this season. He led the Cardinal at Michigan, claiming the meet's individual title with a 15.200.

Part of Fosco's success can be attributed to his unique dismount that consists of two flips, a half turn and a blind landing. He is the only collegiate gymnast executing the dismount.

Brian Knott - Coming off a shortened freshman season due to injury, the sophomore has wasted no time making his presence known, winning consecutive parallel bars titles at Cal and the Stanford Open. Knott is ranked 11th in the nation on parallel bars with an average score of 14.583 and 13th on high bar with a 14.333 average.

Chris Turner - The junior from Fremont, Calif., has been one of the Cardinal's most consistent performers this season, scoring in the mid-to-high 14.000s on four events in all three meets. Turner recorded a season high on rings with a 14.600.He is ranked 12th on parallel bars in the NCAA (14.483 avg.).

Jonathan Deaton - The freshman has competed in all three meets for Stanford and is ranked 18th in the nation on floor with a 14.783 average. He recorded a career-best vault at Michigan, scoring 14.800.

Sean Senters - The sophomore All-American has been impressive on vault this season, claiming two individual titles. Senters scored 15.350 at the Stanford Open - the only gymnast at the meet to score in the 15.000s.

Saturday's Opponent: No. 10 California

Last Meet: Cal is coming off a 439.350-413.400 defeat at No. 3 Michigan, despite a season-best team score on parallel bars (69.950). The Golden Bears had strong performances from freshman Ryan Patterson, junior Matthew Del Junco and senior Christian Monteclaro.

Familiar Foe: This will be the third meeting between Stanford and Cal this season, with the Cardinal claiming victories in the previous two competitions. In its most recent meeting at the Stanford Open on Jan. 19, Stanford defeated Cal, 438.250-425.900.

Stanford will see Cal at least three more times this season, including in its next two meets following Sunday.

Stanford has won three consecutive meets against Cal, dating back to the 2012 MPSF Championship Tournament on April 7.

Current Stanford Stats