NCAA MEN’S GYMNASTICS: Meet the Ohio State and Cal 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!

Ohio State

Peyton Contini

Hometown: Powell, Ohio

Major: Sport Industry

Junior Career Highlights: 2025 Developmental National Champ on rings, 4^th all-around (JN10,19)

More About Me: “I’ve always been super big into sports, especially football. My dad and I watched a ton of football together when I was growing up, and that just really fueled my passion for all sports.

“When I was younger, I was the kid that who was just bouncing off the walls. I did play flag football, and every other sport, but then my mom put me in gymnastics, and that’s what stuck.”

Why Ohio State? “I’ve trained with Cas (Ohio State assistant Casimiro Suarez) for about 12 years now, at the club here, so it was a natural transition. I wanted to stay with him, as he’s pretty much the only coach I’ve ever had, so that was a huge part of my decision. But, also, I knew a lot of the guys already on this team, and the culture and vibe we have here is amazing.

“I also just have a lot of connections with Ohio State. My mom cheered here, so I’ve been around the campus my whole life. And the opportunities you get with a degree from OSU were too good to pass up.”

Most Looking Forward To: “Just getting out and competing. It’s a lot different in college. In club, it’s not really a team sport, but in college it’s completely team oriented. I’m just excited to get out with these guys and enjoy all the hard work we’re putting in now. And, obviously, the energy level is higher at college competitions, so I’m excited for that as well.”

First Impressions: “For me, it’s been awesome. I think, at first, it was a lot—just trying to figure out how to balance everything. But the plan that we’re on now, with lifting and lots of conditioning, has helped me improve tremendously. And the team environment, where everyone is pushing you to be better, and it’s like a friendly competition every day—you gain a lot of skills in that environment. The treatment and recovery stuff we have has been big in figuring out how to manage my body. I’m starting to feel like I’ve got a handle on things.”

Inside Take: One of just two true freshmen on Ohio State’s 2026 roster, Contini will be looking to make an immediate mark on his best event, the still rings.

Cal

Nathan Underhill (Class of 2029 Recruit Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Major: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Junior Career Highlights: 2025 USA Champs qualifier, 5^th all-around & 2^nd floor 2025 Developmental Nationals (L10, 18), 2025 Winter Cup rings and vault Champ (jr. division)

More About Me: “I’m a big outdoors person, so being in California is a great thing for me. I love the outdoors—hiking, fishing, those were always a big part of my outside-the-gym life. A couple years ago I got to go to Machu Picchu in Peru with a friend and his dad. That was the best hike I’ve ever had, or probably will ever have.”

Why Cal? “I think the biggest factor for me was my motivation for the best academics. When I visited here, the team really emphasized that this was a place like no other, and I think that’s true. The professors are among the best in the world, and there are so many resources it’s ridiculous. Then, just the team culture. Everyone here is motivated to succeed both inside and outside the gym, and that’s not something I think you can say about every program.”

Most Looking Forward To: “Competing against my brother (Matt Underhill), who is a senior at Penn State. We’ve trained alongside each other our whole lives, obviously, and have always been competitive. Not in a bad way just, like, sibling stuff. This is our one chance to show that in actual competition, where we’re both at the same level.

“We have a lot of depth this year at Cal. Our six freshmen are all really strong, and everyone has been working so hard in the gym. I think we have a great chance to advance to NCAA finals, maybe even finish in the top four.”

First Impressions: “The school is very challenging. It’s manageable, but you grow a lot as a person with the academics here. They really push you.

“For the training, it’s a lot more organized, compared to club gymnastics. Club is individual, and here, with the team environment, I care about everyone’s turn, not just my own. I care how I’m doing for the team, not just for myself. I’m really trying to push my difficulty and refine my basics. I’d say consistency is one of my strengths, so that’s something I hope I can show for Cal going forward.”

Inside Take: Underhill capped an impressive final junior season with a 26^th place finish in day one of the senior session at USAs, missing finals by just one spot. With good difficulty on floor and vault, and growing strength on rings, Underhill should add to the Bears’ depth across the board.

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