Weekly Release #7
2/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 25 -- at Pacific Coast Classic (Oakland, Calif.), 7:30 p.m. PST
Saturday, March 4 -- at Stanford (Palo Alto, Calif.), 7 p.m. PST
Looking to the Pacific Coast Classic and Beyond
The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan men's gymnastics team (4-6, 3-5 Big Ten) travels to the west coast this weekend to face off against 12 other teams from around the world in the Pacific Coast Classic, held at the Oakland Convention Center in Oakland, California at 7 p.m. (PST). The following weekend (Sat., March 4) Michigan takes on Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.
The Pacific Coast Classic
The 2006 season marks the first time the Wolverines will compete in the Pacific Coast Classic. The competition, in only its third year, has grown into one of the premier gymnastics events of the season. Since its inaugural year in 2004, the Pacific Coast Classic has attracted over 1,100 athletes from 70 national clubs and universities. The meet raises funds to support the National Gymnastics Foundation Men's Scholarship Program and the Men's Intercollegiate Gymnastics Support Program.
This year's competition features eight teams ranked in the collegiate top 10: Oklahoma (1), Stanford (3), Illinois (5), Michigan (6), Iowa (7), California (8), Minnesota (9), and William & Mary (10). Also competing are the Air Force Academy, Temple, and club teams from Arizona State University and the University of Washington. In addition, a team from Waseda University in Japan will be attempting to knock off the U.S.'s best collegiate gymnasts. Pacific Coast Classic on the Web: www.usa-sports.org
Spring Training
After competing in the Pacific Coast Classic this weekend (Feb. 25), the Wolverine gymnastics team heads to Palo Alto, California for next week's spring break. The team's annual trip during the University's week off is not only a great training opportunity; it's also a much needed change of pace from the normal routine. In recent years the team has traveled abroad to Spain and France to train with, and compete against the national teams of those countries.
This year Michigan heads to Stanford University for a week of training capped off by a dual meet against the Cardinal on Saturday, March 4. Though the Wolverines will undoubtedly enjoy California's weather, the trip is strictly business. A week off from classes allows the team to focus on its practice time in the gym. Sharing Stanford's facility also adds a little more intensity to workouts, as each team will be eyeing the other in preparation for the competition at week's end.
Recapping the Loss in Iowa
Senior Luke Bottke (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS) won the floor exercise on a night when the No. 6-ranked Wolverines struggled and placed third of three teams with a score of 196.100. Michigan fell to No. 5-ranked Illinois (211.850) and No. 7 Iowa (209.600).
Bottke's 9.45 on floor got Michigan off to a strong start as they tied Illinois for the top team score on that event with a 35.70. The Wolverines also posted solid team scores on the vault (36.20) and rings (33.70). Senior Andrew DiGiore (Buffalo, NY/City Honors HS) took second on the vault with a 9.40 followed by Bottke's 9.05 for seventh place.
Freshman Ralph Rosso (Morganville, N.J./St. John Vianney HS) was the only Wolverine to compete in the evening's all-around competition, placing fourth with a 47.40. Rosso's highest event finish came on the rings where he placed 10th with an 8.55.
The Wolverines fell behind both Illinois and Iowa after poor rotations on pommel horse (29.10) and parallel bars (31.15). Michigan also struggled on the high bar (30.25) and was never able to recover the momentum they began with on the floor.
One Final Home Meet
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m. when Michigan hosts the Ohio State Buckeyes. The competition, which will be Senior Night -- always a crowd favorite, is Michigan's final home appearance in Cliff Keen Arena this season.
Big Ten Championships Fast Approaching
The 2006 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships will be here before you know it. The competition will be held at the University of Iowa's Carver Hawkeye Arena on March 24-25. For more information, including ticket options, go to Iowa's site.
Wolverines Ranked Nationally
Michigan fell one spot from fifth to sixth this week in the national GymInfo rankings. Oklahoma and Ohio State maintained their hold on the top two spots, respectively, while Stanford jumped up one spot to third place.
Michigan individuals are also ranked nationally this week. On floor, Bottke moved from sixth last week to fourth place with an average score of 9.333. DiGiore, ranked second on vault with a 9.45, is challenging for the top spot on that event as he is just 0.05 points out of first. Sophomore Daniel Rais (Livonia, Mich./Franklin HS) is in ninth on vault with a 9.267. Freshman Joe Catrambone (Deptford, N.J./Gloucester Catholic HS) dropped three spots on high bar to sixth, with a 9.317.
Teams and individuals are ranked using a modified three-score average approach which accounts for home, away, and post-season scores. GymInfo Poll on the Web: www.troester.com.
GymInfo National Rankings (2/20/2006)
1. Oklahoma 214.917 2. Ohio State 213.633 3. Stanford 208.067 4. Penn State 210.983 5. Illinois 210.667 6. MICHIGAN 209.217 7. Iowa 209.150 8. California 209.025 9. Minnesota 205.733 10. William & Mary 204.542
Contact: Justin Toman (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
