Stanford Wins Qualification at Men's NCAA Championships

Host Stanford University earned itstop score of the season Thursday in qualification at the Men's NCAA Championships in Palo Alto, Calif.

In the second of two sessions, No. 1-ranked Stanford scored 363.850, more than four points ahead of second place Illinois and seven ahead of third place Cal.

The top three teams from each session advance to Friday's team finals.

U.S. national team members David Sender and Sho Nakamori led Stanford to the highest score of the day. Both gymnasts are in contention for individual titles this weekend, but giving Stanford its first team championship since 1995 is priority, Sender said.

"The team always comes first," Sender told The Stanford Daily. "If we focus on doing the best we can for the team, then we will do well in our individual events. But the team's success is the most important thing."

In the first session, Oklahoma edged defending champion Penn State by .2. Michigan finished third to also advance to the final.

2008 Men's NCAA Championships
April 17, Palo Alto, Calif.

Session I
1. Oklahoma 357.500
2. Penn State 357.300
3. Michigan 354.300
4. Ohio State 351.800
5. Nebraska 343.300
6. William & Mary 335.950

Session II
1. Stanford 363.850
2. Illinois 359.300
3. California 357.100
4. Minnesota 349.150
5. Iowa 339.850
6. Temple 333.000