Temple University Athletics
MEN'S GYMNASTICS OPENS 2005 CAMPAIGN FRIDAY EVENING AT PENN STATE
1.20.05 | Men's Gymnastics
PHILADELPHIA - Fred Turoff, in his 29th year as head coach of the men's gymnastics team, expects to continue a tradition of success in 2005. That tradition, which includes 22 conference championships and an NCAA title, resumes Friday evening when the Owls open their campaign in a tri-meet at
Despite losing nine competitors, including All-American Theo Maes to graduation, the Owls remain strong and have the foundation for victory. Leading the squad will be a small, but successful group of seniors. In 2004, Nyika White captured his second consecutive All-American title on rings, placing second in the event at last year's NCAA Championships. In addition to rings, he will compete on vault. John Behrle, an ECAC finalist last year, will contribute on floor exercise, pommel horse and vault.
David Ramos will participate in the All-Around competition again this year. Ramos is expected to have standout performances on floor exercise and horizontal bar. He captured ECAC Championship titles in both events last season.
Rounding out the senior competitors will be Travis Kitchen, who has medaled on parallel bars in the ECAC previously, and
The junior class adds experience to the roster with Brian Forquer and Nadov Simenaur in the All-Around. Dan Berlin will be a strong competitor as he competes on pommel horse, rings and parallel bars.
A sophomore class of nine brings much needed depth to the 2005 roster. Heading the sophomore class will be Alex Gorski, Derek Shepard and Anthony Smith. Gorski was an ECAC vault finalist last year. After being red-shirted last season due to a knee injury, Smith looks to hone his skills in the All-Around competition.
This year's freshman class consists of seven gymnasts. Most will be training for All-Around competition. Sterling Kramer and Luke Vexler were both finalists at last season's Junior Olympic All-Around Championships.
