Temple University Athletics
Friday, January 14
West Point, N.Y.
2nd
Temple University
at
West Point Open
Men's Gymnastics Set To Open Season At West Point Open
1.13.11 | Men's Gymnastics
Three seniors, 14 letterwinners return to Owls' squad
Season Preview Interviews | Watch Team Competition Live
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple men's gymnastics team is geared up to start its 2011 season, as the Owls travel to Army for the West Point Open on January 14-15 with competition slated for 7:00 p.m. on both evenings. The team portion of the competition will take place on Friday, as the individual competition is slated for Saturday.
Head coach Fred Turoff, now in his 35th season, sees this coming year as one where the Owls could regain the ECAC crown.
“We finished last season without three of our stronger guys, but fortunately they are back and will definitely replace the few scores we lost from last year's second place ECAC squad,” said Turoff. “As of this season, we're allowed to use 15 men per meet instead of 12, so all teams will have opportunities to work specialists that may have not made a 12-man team. It will certainly help us in a few areas.”
Three graduating seniors and several who will return for a fifth year of competition form a good nucleus of experience to lead the Owls. Patrick McLaughlin missed the latter half of last season due to a severe injury, but has been granted a hardship year and plans to lead the Owls to victory as an all-arounder. Despite being out of competition, McLaughlin's efforts in the early-goings led him to be named the 2009-10 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Men's At-Large Performer of the Year.
Scott Bloomfield is the defending ECAC vault champion and qualified for this past summer's U.S. Championships. He is quite strong on floor exercise, parallel bars and horizontal bar as well. Jesse Kitzen-Abelson's pommel horse has looked excellent and his parallel bars and horizontal bar routines are likewise improved.
Several other seniors, who have an additional year of eligibility after this season, bolster the Owls' squad. Adam Al-Rokh is a top all-arounder, but missed last season due to shoulder surgeries. The Bensalem, Pa., native competed in the summer U.S. Championships qualifier and looks to be well on his way back. Blake Collins worked all-around much of last season and was named Temple's Most Valuable Gymnast for his efforts. Logan Fiery may find a steady spot on parallel bars and horizontal bar. Jeff Zack was a regular on floor exercise and vault, but is pushing for horizontal bar as well.
The juniors are a strong group who provide needed depth. All-arounder Chris Mooney medaled on several events at last year's ECACs, while Taylor Brana was a surprise winner on parallel bars. Brana also worked pommel horse and rings regularly for the Owls. Evan Burke is capable of high-level routines on floor exercise and vault, while Matt Martin hopes to regain his form after a year of nagging injuries.
The sophomores provided plenty of excitement last year as they competed very well in their first collegiate season. Allan Malone dazzled and was an event finalist at the ECAC's, while Alex Tighe performed fine difficulty on several events. Brett Statman has come on strong and will surely see action on more events, as he earned a regular spot on two by the end of last season. Assaf Zoor returns after a biceps injury that took him out of the last season.
Three gymnasts who sat out last season have improved and will challenge for competition spots. Zach Aguiar is strongest on pommel horse, rings and horizontal bar. John Gaffney swings pommel horse well and shows nice tumbling and horizontal bar skills. Dashiell Sears is sure to amaze fans with his rings strength.
Newcomers to the Owls are sophomore transfer John Leonard and freshmen Dmytri Tserkovnyuk and Brendan Williams. Leonard has shown daring and high-flying abilities in the early off-season. Tserkovnyuk can perform high difficulty on several events, while Williams is a steady gymnast who can be a good leadoff in many cases.
This season features three regular-season home meets. The Owls host Army and Penn State in the season opener January 30, then host William & Mary on February 19 in a meet sandwiched between Temple Boys Invitational sessions. Navy invades McGonigle Hall on March 19 for the alumni homecoming and senior recognition meet, when Temple also celebrates coach Turoff's 35th season. Illinois-Chicago hosts this year's ECAC Championships on April 2 & 3. Beyond that, the Owls aim to compete in the NCAA Qualifier and Championships at Ohio State on April 14-16.
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple men's gymnastics team is geared up to start its 2011 season, as the Owls travel to Army for the West Point Open on January 14-15 with competition slated for 7:00 p.m. on both evenings. The team portion of the competition will take place on Friday, as the individual competition is slated for Saturday.
Head coach Fred Turoff, now in his 35th season, sees this coming year as one where the Owls could regain the ECAC crown.
“We finished last season without three of our stronger guys, but fortunately they are back and will definitely replace the few scores we lost from last year's second place ECAC squad,” said Turoff. “As of this season, we're allowed to use 15 men per meet instead of 12, so all teams will have opportunities to work specialists that may have not made a 12-man team. It will certainly help us in a few areas.”
Three graduating seniors and several who will return for a fifth year of competition form a good nucleus of experience to lead the Owls. Patrick McLaughlin missed the latter half of last season due to a severe injury, but has been granted a hardship year and plans to lead the Owls to victory as an all-arounder. Despite being out of competition, McLaughlin's efforts in the early-goings led him to be named the 2009-10 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Men's At-Large Performer of the Year.
Scott Bloomfield is the defending ECAC vault champion and qualified for this past summer's U.S. Championships. He is quite strong on floor exercise, parallel bars and horizontal bar as well. Jesse Kitzen-Abelson's pommel horse has looked excellent and his parallel bars and horizontal bar routines are likewise improved.
Several other seniors, who have an additional year of eligibility after this season, bolster the Owls' squad. Adam Al-Rokh is a top all-arounder, but missed last season due to shoulder surgeries. The Bensalem, Pa., native competed in the summer U.S. Championships qualifier and looks to be well on his way back. Blake Collins worked all-around much of last season and was named Temple's Most Valuable Gymnast for his efforts. Logan Fiery may find a steady spot on parallel bars and horizontal bar. Jeff Zack was a regular on floor exercise and vault, but is pushing for horizontal bar as well.
The juniors are a strong group who provide needed depth. All-arounder Chris Mooney medaled on several events at last year's ECACs, while Taylor Brana was a surprise winner on parallel bars. Brana also worked pommel horse and rings regularly for the Owls. Evan Burke is capable of high-level routines on floor exercise and vault, while Matt Martin hopes to regain his form after a year of nagging injuries.
The sophomores provided plenty of excitement last year as they competed very well in their first collegiate season. Allan Malone dazzled and was an event finalist at the ECAC's, while Alex Tighe performed fine difficulty on several events. Brett Statman has come on strong and will surely see action on more events, as he earned a regular spot on two by the end of last season. Assaf Zoor returns after a biceps injury that took him out of the last season.
Three gymnasts who sat out last season have improved and will challenge for competition spots. Zach Aguiar is strongest on pommel horse, rings and horizontal bar. John Gaffney swings pommel horse well and shows nice tumbling and horizontal bar skills. Dashiell Sears is sure to amaze fans with his rings strength.
Newcomers to the Owls are sophomore transfer John Leonard and freshmen Dmytri Tserkovnyuk and Brendan Williams. Leonard has shown daring and high-flying abilities in the early off-season. Tserkovnyuk can perform high difficulty on several events, while Williams is a steady gymnast who can be a good leadoff in many cases.
This season features three regular-season home meets. The Owls host Army and Penn State in the season opener January 30, then host William & Mary on February 19 in a meet sandwiched between Temple Boys Invitational sessions. Navy invades McGonigle Hall on March 19 for the alumni homecoming and senior recognition meet, when Temple also celebrates coach Turoff's 35th season. Illinois-Chicago hosts this year's ECAC Championships on April 2 & 3. Beyond that, the Owls aim to compete in the NCAA Qualifier and Championships at Ohio State on April 14-16.
Ep. 11: American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti
Monday, October 13
Ep. 10: Temple Homecoming Preview; Volleyball Assistant Coach Taylor Davenport
Tuesday, October 07
Ep. 9: Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Shaw
Friday, October 03
Ep. 8: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Women's Cross Country Runner Amelia Sabatino
Tuesday, September 30
