Springfield, Mass. -- February 28, 2013 -- Newly #1-ranked Ryan Ponce of the Springfield College men's gymnastics team has been honored with national and regional awards for his outstanding efforts at the Penn State meet this past weekend.A junior from Tolland, Conn., Ponce has been named the CGA National Men's Gymnast of the Week (Collegiate Division), as well as the ECAC Gymnast of the Week.
Ponce has also just been ranked #1 in the nation among all gymnasts in the still rings -- with a 15.633 average. His ranking is purely based on an individual's top three scores.
"As far as his ranking is concerned, we're very excited for Ryan and for our program," said Springfield College men's gymnastics coach Steve Posner. "This is not an insignificant ranking by any means since we are so well along in the season. We'll be preparing him the best way we know how so that he'll be ready for when it counts the most a bit later on."
In a dual meet that took place last Saturday (Feb. 23), Ponce posted a score of 15.75 on rings, placing him second to Trevor Howard of Penn State as SC placed second as a team to the defending national champion Nittany Lions.
A sports biology major at Springfield College, Ponce is the defending USAG and EIGL national champion in the still rings.
This Sunday (Mar. 3), the Pride will host William & Mary men's gymnastics at 1 pm.
Entering his 31st season as head men's gymnastics coach, Dr. Steve Posner is recognized as one of the most outstanding gymnastics coaches in the East. Posner led the Pride to another successful season in 2012 and was named the EIGL Coach of the Year. Read more.
