Seven members of the Air Force men’s gymnastics team will participate in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, which begin April 17 at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign.
The event marks the end of the collegiate season for these athletes and provides an opportunity for individual and team recognition on a national stage. The Falcons, ranked No. 14 nationally with a National Qualifying Average (NQA) of 306.425, will be represented by Jared Fry, Tai Gopaul, Isaac Koo, Palmer Wright, Jack Matlock, Jack Thomas Foltyn, and Sam Brown.
Competition begins with two qualifying sessions on Friday: Session one features Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ohio State, California, Greenville, Springfield and individuals from William & Mary; session two includes Michigan, Stanford, Penn State, Illinois (the host), Navy and Army West Point along with individuals from Air Force and Simpson. The top three teams from each session advance to Saturday’s finals along with top all-arounders and event specialists not already qualified.
Among those to watch are Sam Brown and Jack Matlock—both ranked among the nation’s top-15 pommel horse competitors—and Tai Gopaul who is ranked No. 14 on high bar. Throughout their rotations on Friday evening’s session two qualifier (7:00 p.m.), Air Force gymnasts will join various teams based on event assignments: Fry will compete as an all-arounder alongside Illinois; Gopaul joins him for several events; Koo partners with Stanford for vault and high bar; Wright also competes with Stanford; Matlock rotates with Navy; Foltyn joins Army West Point; Brown pairs up with Michigan.
Historically Air Force has seen success at this championship meet. Fifteen Falcons have earned All-America honors across multiple decades—including recent accolades by Patrick Hoopes (pommel horse) in consecutive years from 2023 through 2025—and have made nineteen appearances as a team at NCAA finals since their first in 1961. Their highest finish was sixth place in 1972 while they posted their best result in over half a century by finishing eighth in last year’s championship.
Tickets are available online through FightingIllinois.com while results can be followed via StatBroadcast or accessed through GoAirForceFalcons.com.
