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GymACT 2026w2 Review: Qualifiers and More

Updated: 1 day ago


Well, gymnastics enthusiasts. Week 2 brings a total of 11 GymACT programs to the national rankings board, the season is now in full swing. ALRIGHT!



Top Scores Team Scores

Top Individuals Scores:

5-up 4-count: Bay Area Bandits (293.200), Minnesota (291.600), Temple (289.900)

All Around: Ben Letvin (73.350, Minnesota), KJ Richardson (73.000, Minnesota), Peter Davis-Ross (72.350, Minnesota)

FX: Temple (50.100)

FX: Evan Hymanson, Bandits (13.400)

PH: Indi-hio (47.000)

PH: William Pearce, Bandits (12.900)

SR: Minnesota (48.650)

SR: Alex Trent, SC United (13.000)

VT: Temple (54.100)

VT: Amir El-Moslemany, Temple (14.200)

PB: Minnesota (49.750)

PB: Elliot Foster, Arizona State (13.700)

HB: Bay Area Bandits (50.900)

HB: Alexei Tryshev & Bryson Brandon, both Bandits (12.900)


And, congratulations to all the athletes who competed in the Qualifier meets in pursuit of their US national team dreams. There is some TOUGH competition out there.  Keep on keeping on, fellas! 


As I understand it from the rock in the middle of the Pacific.


Breeze

From the Coaches


MINNESOTA

The Universiy of Minnesota GymACT Program split our roster into two unique and independent teams at the 2026 Windy City Invitational. 

Several GymACT Eastern teams were on hand to do battle in the season opener. 


Iowa, a former Easten team that was recently moved to the Western Confernece, joined Indy-Hio, Norrhern Illinois, Florida Storm, & a partial team from the Wisconsin Flippers program to put on a show of high level gymnastics performances to wow the crowd at Navy Pier. 


‘It’s always an exciting time when we come to Chicago,’ said head coach Mike Burns. ‘This meet means the season is here and time to put some giddy up in our steps!’


And giddy up we did! When the dust settled the 2 teams from Minnesota took home the top two spots with scores of 291.60 and 282.70.


‘I give these guys a lot of credit since we were without 4 of our top guys in the lineup. David (Grossman) & Jack (Gagamov) were out with injuries, Ben (Letvin) was returning from the West Point Open,  & Joey (Pennell) was returning from Brazil where he was studying abroad for two weeks for school,’ said Burns. ‘It was an exciting night of competition and I’m extremely proud of what our guys were able to accomplish.’


Next up for Minnesota is the John Roethlisberger Iceberg Invitational on January 31.



Bandits

Competition Recap: 


The Bandits Season Debut:

Returning bandits showed off some upgrades including a back uprise Maltese from our 6 foot rings worker, Sam Cohen. 

Team Score: 47.3 


On Vault multiple members debuted upgraded vaults with either 3 Kaz fulls in the lineup, and 2 Kaz layouts, much improved from last year's lineup.

Team Score: 52.3


PBars: 

The nerves got the better of the bandits on this event. We tallied quite a few falls from our contributing members. Evan posted a 13.4 and debuted of the most unique pbar dismounts out there! With a full twisting double off the end. 


Some additional freshman debuts were quite strong on Rings and PBars: with an incredibly unique and exciting routine from Josh Farrington on the PBars (11.0)

Team score: 48.6


High bar had 2 outstanding hit routines from Alexei Tryshev and Bryson Brandon who shared the title with 12.9s each. Veterans Evan and Will both fell on their sets but put up promisingly high numbers for missed routines. 


Team Score: 50.9


Floor:

This team is boasting some bigger tumbles than in previous years, with multiple front full to double front connections. Really excited to see this event improve as these new bandits clean up these tumbles and get into peak routine shape. 

Team Score: 48.8


Pommels: 

Bandits began to lose some steam by this event, missing some key figures from the pommel lineup. Many AAers were able to step up. Highlights on the Event was a hit 5.1 Difficulty routine from captain-coach Will Pearce for the leading pommel score of the year with a 12.9. 

Team Score: 

45.3

GymACT Socials:

Keep an eye on our social media channels as we get closer to Championship Season! 

EAST AND WEST CAMPS

Registration OPEN NOW!

Back by popular demand Summer 2026 we have TWO GymACT college bound camps!  


East Conference (Cincinnati, OH) and West Conference (Lafayette, CO) summer camps. 


Double the IMPACT!


2026 WEST GymACT Conference College Bound Camp

When: Friday - Sunday, June 19-21, 2026 

Where: Xtreme Altitude Gymnastics

1405 South Public Rd • Lafayette, CO 80026

2026 EAST GymACT Conference College Bound Camp

When: Friday - Sunday, July 17-19, 2026

Where: Kids First Sports Center

7900 E. Kemper Road • Cincinnati, OH 45249


Once again ALL of the GymACT programs will be represented, and gymnasts may choose a deeper training opportunity with the coaches from the geographic area closest to them. Or, go to both camps and get experience DOUBLE the collegiate program recruiting opportunity! 


Register now and guarantee your spot! 

Gymnast of the Week 2


Nominees


Bryson Brandon - Bandits  (WhatsApp)

Bryson Brandon had one heck of a gymACT debut. 

His first meet as a gymACT athlete he contributed in lineup on every event and posted a career high on High Bar with a 12.9 for the event title and a 71.7 with plenty of room to improve.



KJ Richardson - Minnesota

In his first college meet, freshman KJ Richardson returned to his Chicago roots and put on a Championship Performance by winning the coveted All Around title at the historic Windy City Invitational. He put together a string of hit routines and also came away with the Parallel Bars title and was crowned the Vice Champion on Still Rings with a second place finish! KJ's performance also catapulted Minnesota to the Team Title for the second year in a row. KJ Richardson is a name you'll be hearing a lot this year.

Scores for this athlete:

2026-01-17 - Windy City Invite (1st Minnesota 291.600): 1st AA 73.000, 4th(t) FX 12.100, PH 11.35, 2nd SR 12.700, 6th VT 12.900, 1st PB 12.850, 12th HB 11.100



Year 3 with the MAVERICKS, Cody was a rock for the team at RMO. He went up against 4 D1 programs and Arizona State, holding his composure, leading the team's energy, and HITTING 4-for-4 at his first meet! 


Up Next:

Week 3 GymACT Competition Schedule

Bay Area Bandits @ Stanford Open (Winter Cup Qualifier)

North Carolina Airmen, Temple @ Navy Open (Winter Cup Qualifier)

Minnesota @ Twin City Invite

Arizona State @ Michigan

Wisconsin @ M&M Men's Challenge

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