Temple University Athletics
Temple Set to Host Army and Illinois-Chicago in Tri-Meet Action
2.22.07 | Men's Gymnastics
Feb. 22, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - The 12th-ranked Temple men's gymnastics team (8-3) take on 10th and 14th ranked conference-rivals, respectively, in Army and Illinois-Chicago this coming Saturday February 24 in McGonigle Hall. The competition is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start as it headlines the highly-anticipated fourth annual Temple Boys Invitational.
In its fourth year, the Temple Boys Invitational continues to attract one of the largest fields in Region 7. This year's competition, which starts on Friday February 23 and ends on Sunday February 25, will feature approximately 500 gymnasts from over 40 USAG club programs.
This meet is expected to be very close, as all three teams are very evenly matched up. In his 31st year with the Owls, head coach Fred Turoff is excited about this weekends match up.
"All three teams are very close in the national rankings right now. Fans will be able to see a very intense meet that will likely be decided by the final performances," said Turoff.
With all three teams having their goal to win the ECAC conference championships, Saturday's competition will certainly be a pre-cursor to what is expected to be the closest conference battle in several years.
Coming off of a season-high score of 202.950 last weekend against Springfield, the Owls will look to better that mark in order to not only hold off the opposing teams, but to maintain or improve upon their #12 national ranking.
Expected to lead this weekend's charge is the talented trio of Luke Vexler, John Vogtman and Sterling Kramer. These three top 10 nationally-ranked athletes will look toward a talented group of event-specialists that include Dan Berlin, Nate Naisby, Clay Stewart, Nadov Simenauer and Andy Corp, to help produce a strong team-score. However, the Owls will be without the services of two very strong athletes.
Junior Alex Gorski (elbow) and sophomore Jason Russo (shoulder) will both have to sit out for this weekend's competition, and possibly for the remainder of the season. With two of his stars on the sidelines, Turoff will look to sophomore Nick Illes, freshman Patrick McLaughlin and senior Derek Sheperd to fill void. Illes, who had a brilliant freshman campaign, is just about back to 100 percent after suffering a pre-season shoulder injury.
On Friday, March 2, the Owls will head west to compete at the Southwest Cup in Tempe, AZ. The Owls will meet club program Arizona State University, along with #17 Air Force Academy. The Owls will return home on Saturday March 17 at 2:00 p.m. to take on conference-rival Navy in McGonigle Hall.
