Temple University Athletics
2007 Season Outlook
1.8.07 | Men's Gymnastics
Jan. 8, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - The 2007 Temple men's gymnastics team, looking to build upon last season's 13-7 overall mark and a third place finish at the ECAC-EIGL Championships, returns a solid core of veterans. Head coach Fred Turoff, beginning his 31st year at the helm on January 21 at the first home meet, is especially enthused about the leadership and experience that this team boasts.
"Since we lost few scores from last year's team, we are especially excited about this season," said Turoff, owner of 14 conference championships as the Owls' mentor. With the returning ECAC all-around and floor exercise title holders in juniors Sterling Kramer and Luke Vexler, the team is geared up for a run at the league crown, when the championships are held in McGonigle Hall on March 31 and April 1.
The Cherry and White returns eight senior class members, but only four will finish their NCAA careers this season. Dan Berlin medaled on pommel horse at the conference championships last season and figures to be a key contributor on parallel bars, as well. Alex Gorski is the team's leading vaulter, with strong routines on floor exercise and horizontal bar. Derek Shepard's vault will be an important asset for the Owls while John Jeffries has shown increased prowess on several events.
Team co-captain Greg Monaco has increased his difficulty on pommel horse, vault and parallel bars while Nate Naisby has shown consistent improvement on floor exercise, rings and parallel bars. Team co-captain Nadov Simenauer has recovered from an injury and will work at least four events regularly. Clay Stewart, last year's third place finisher at the ECACs on floor exercise, may be looked to for vault as well. Gorski, Jeffries, Monaco and Naisby are juniors in terms of eligibility and will return in 2008.
The junior class boasts significant accomplishments from Kramer and Vexler. Kramer returns having captured last season's all-around crown at the ECACs while Vexler took home the floor exercise title despite a hand injury.
Additionally, Andy Corp will repeat working at least three events for the team. Jeff Shearer and Joe Skrapits saw limited action last season, but feature a consistent work ethic that should translate into contributions.
Sophomore Nick Iles was a steady lead-off man one year ago and will be asked to supply the same support this season. Fellow classmate Jason Russo has several high-level skills on each event and has trained to push for an all-around spot. John Vogtman, possibly adding another all-around threat to this year's team, earned two event medals at last year's championships and was named ECAC Co-Rookie of the Year. Ryan Healy, Robert Kay and Trevor Vlahov should see their first varsity action this season.
Turoff enters this season with an incoming class that boasts a variety of levels. Pat McLaughlin is a solid all-around performer with unlimited potential while Tyler Croteau has a nice style to his work and is steadily increasing his difficulty. Turoff noted that Scott Bloomfield is surprisingly dynamic, with a few super skills in his repertoire. Chris Bizub, John Buckner and Jesse Kitzen-Abelson will most likely be trained toward next season. The schedule features three regular season home meets plus the conference championships.
The Owls host James Madison, Penn State and William & Mary in the season opener January 21, Army and Illinois-Chicago on February 24 in a meet sandwiched between Temple Boys Invitational sessions, and Navy in the season finale March 17. The Owls' sights are also set on April's NCAA qualifier and championships at Penn State.
