NCAA MEN’S GYMNASTICS: Meet the Air Force and Army Freshmen

NCAA MEN’S GYMNASTICS: Meet the Freshmen

The 2026 men’s NCAA season will feature one of the most exciting incoming classes in recent memory, featuring three current U.S. senior National Team members (Jun Iwai, Sasha Bogonosiuk and Nathan Roman), along with two international junior champs (Sam Rakita, Canada and Ritam Malik, Australia). We’ve also got a slew of second-generation stars, with Iwai, Bogonosiuk and Adam Lakomy all boasting Olympian parents.

Everything is bigger in Texas, including how many of the state’s own are featured here (six). Four freshmen on our list were developed by coach Nori Iwai at the Kim Zmeskal-owned Texas Dreams, including all three service academies. Region 3’s 2025 Elite Team Cup championship squad is also well represented, with the NCAA saying howdy to three of its eight members in 2026.

As we inch closer to January and the start of the NCAA men’s gymnastics season, Inside Gymnastics will introduce you to 2026’s most anticipated newcomers!

Air Force

John Hults (Class of 2029 Recruit Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Hometown: Coppell, Texas

Major: undecided

Junior Career Highlights: 6^th all-around & 1^st team 2025 Developmental Nationals (L10, 19), 2025 Elite Team Cup Champion (Region), 2024 Developmental Nationals champ (JN10, 18), 2^nd all-around 2023 Developmental Nationals (JN10, 17)

More About Me: “Something I enjoy is reading and writing about literature. I enjoy exploring poetic and philosophical themes. One of my favorites is Edgar Allan Poe. I’m currently reading White Nights, by Dostoevsky. I really enjoy exploring themes that aren’t cookie cutter and topics outside of everyday conversation.”

Why Air Force? “Growing up, I was part of a church community, so wanted that type of belonging, and I have multiple family members in the military. I want to have a larger purpose in my life—to serve others—so doing that and the military aspect were things that appealed to me. Also, from a gymnastics standpoint, the coaches here are great. Two of them (Sergey Resnick and Michael Reid) worked under my club coach, Nori Iwai, so having those familiar faces here helped a lot. I knew I was in good hands. They’re fantastic coaches. I think as good as any in the country.”

Most Looking Forward To: “I watched a lot of NCAA competitions growing up and seeing everyone get hyped after a big routine is something I always wanted to be a part of, so that’s what I’m most excited about.

“I think Air Force is going to surprise some people. Making lineups is very competitive right now, and that’s a good indicator of the quality of gymnastics we have on this team. I think we’re going to do very well this season.”

First Impressions: “The support system here is incredible. Every aspect of the Academy—academics, athletics, housing—is close-knit, and super supportive. We have small classes, so you really get to know and interact with your teachers, which helps tremendously. And there aren’t any cliques on the team. We’re just one big unit. I’ve only been here for a little while, but I already feel very close to everyone.

“I feel like I have a lot of room to grow.  I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, but I’m getting there, and enjoying the journey.”

Inside Take: Air Force has a huge freshman class, with eight newcomers on this year’s squad. For the Falcons to fly high, they’ll need to pull together, especially with National Champion and World medalist Patrick Hoopes now a graduate.

Army

Thomas Morrow

Hometown: Coppell, Texas

Major: undecided

Junior Career Highlights: 2025 Developmental Nationals floor and team Champ, 2^nd all-around 2023 Region 3 Championships

More About Me: “I work to be very personable and try to understand and connect with people on a deeper level than just the surface. I want to create bonds that last a lifetime, so that’s something I’ve been doing a lot of here at Army.

“As for hobbies, I like hunting and fishing and have been doing both of those since I was four years old. I’ve been deep sea fishing in the Bahamas, and I enjoy spear fishing. And, with hunting, it’s mostly ducks and deer.”

Why Army? “Hands down, the people. The people here are amazing. When I came here on my trip, I was drawn in by the culture, the environment. My dad served and growing up, so I would hear stories, and it always felt like a possibility. When West Point reached out, that desire to serve surfaced, and this felt like the perfect place for me.”

Most Looking Forward To: “I’m really excited for this season. We’ve been in the gym six days a week. Everyone is in put-your-head down-and-work mode, and I want everyone to know that West Point’s been working hard, and we’re ready to show up this season!

“Personally, I’m excited to get out there and show what I’ve been working on. I’ve got upgrades, and my gymnastics has always been about the execution, so I want to show that off, too. Help this team.”

First Impressions: “Basic training, which is the first six weeks, was a complete culture shock. The first two to three weeks, I can’t lie, were rough, but then you start to get used to how the Army regulates you.

“During Basic, we only got to do gymnastics 8-10 times. I spent probably the next six weeks just getting back to where I was, but I’m feeling good now. I really like the training environment here. The West Point Gym is amazing already, and we’re getting some upgrades to make it even better.”

Inside Take: One of four freshmen on West Point’s roster, Morrow is expected to contribute to Army’s continued resurgence with clean, consistent gymnastics. After winning ECAC Championships last year, as well as defeating Air Force at home and besting Navy in NCAA prelims, the cadets are hoping to reclaim the coveted All-Academy crown.

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