Gophers gymnast pushes high bar equipment too far

While working on the high bar Thursday at Cooke Hall, Jalon Stephens learned the hard way that the equipment has its breaking point.

May 12, 2017 at 3:53AM
Gophers junior Jalon Stephens practiced the rings during practice in the third floor of Cooke Hall at the University of Minnesota in January.
Gophers junior Jalon Stephens practiced the rings during practice in the third floor of Cooke Hall at the University of Minnesota in January. (Brian Wicker — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The old saying is that it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

In this case, luckily, that means it is in fact all still fun and games.

Let me explain.

On Thursday Gophers gymnast Zach Liebler posted a video on Twitter of All-America teammate Jalon Stephens practicing on the high bar inside Cooke Hall. Take a look:

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While the equipment collapse and subsequent fall look alarming, Stephens confirmed Liebler's report that it was (all things considered) a best case scenario finish.

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In the video posted to Twitter, someone toward the end says, "That video is so viral."

You decide.

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