Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Men’s Gymnastics Hosts #1 Penn State and #11 William & Mary Saturday In McGonigle Hall
2.15.13 | Men's Gymnastics
Watch Live | Pre-Meet Interviews: A. Tighe | E. Eigner | E. Malone
PHILADELPHIA— The No. 12 Temple men's gymnastics squad will welcome a pair of highly-touted opponents to their very own Peason-McGonigle Hall this Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. for their first home meet of the season. Visiting the Owls will be the No. 1 nationally-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and the No. 11 William & Mary Tribe.
Coming off a strong win at the West Point Open on Feb. 1, the Owls hope to continue their momentum after picking up four first place event titles during the event finals on the evening following the team competition.
Newcomer Jon Rydzefski has proved a beneficial addition to the Owls so far this season, posting the teams highest all-around score of 81.2 and taking two top-three finishes on the high bar and parallel bars which earned him ECAC Rookie of the Week for the week of Feb. 6.
Sharing honors two weeks ago was senior, Alex Tighe, who was named ECAC Co-Gymnast of the Week. Tighe will be competing this weekend fresh off a qualification to the event finals of the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge for his performance on the pommel horse and horizontal bar.
The Owls have also seen its most notable performances from veterans Allan Malone, John Leonard, Evan Burke and Taylor Brana, all of whom finished top-three on their respective events during the West Point event finals. Mallone has proved to be a strong all-around contender, trailing Rydzefski's season high score by only .15 and posting impressive season high scores of 14.5 on the floor and 14.15 on the high bar.
Some of Temple's event specialists will play key roles this weekend as well. Sophomore Michael Bittner, has posted strong scores on the pommel horse, with a current season high of 14.45. Senior Dashiell Sears and freshman Evan Eigner will be the still ring workers to watch for the Owls, posting season high scores of 14.2 and 14.4, respectively.
Coming to Philadelphia with a total team season high score of 447.85, the top-ranked Nittany Lions will be showcasing newcomer Trevor Howard, who is coming off an 88. 25 all-around finish against Ohio State. Another Lion to watch is Craigh Hernandez, a sophomore who posted an impressive season high of 15.75 on the pommel horse.
The Tribe will also be bringing along its best competitors after its third place finish at the West Point Open. Ranked just one spot above the Owls, the Tribe will also be featuring an all-event working freshman Keaton Ackerman, who tallied a total of 80.65 points at his last competition. Still rings specialist Landon Funiciello is another Tribe member to look for. The junior received an impressive 15.4 on the event at the Tribe's season opener.
For those who are unable to attend, the meet will be streamed on OwlAccess (follow link po
PHILADELPHIA— The No. 12 Temple men's gymnastics squad will welcome a pair of highly-touted opponents to their very own Peason-McGonigle Hall this Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. for their first home meet of the season. Visiting the Owls will be the No. 1 nationally-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and the No. 11 William & Mary Tribe.
Coming off a strong win at the West Point Open on Feb. 1, the Owls hope to continue their momentum after picking up four first place event titles during the event finals on the evening following the team competition.
Newcomer Jon Rydzefski has proved a beneficial addition to the Owls so far this season, posting the teams highest all-around score of 81.2 and taking two top-three finishes on the high bar and parallel bars which earned him ECAC Rookie of the Week for the week of Feb. 6.
Sharing honors two weeks ago was senior, Alex Tighe, who was named ECAC Co-Gymnast of the Week. Tighe will be competing this weekend fresh off a qualification to the event finals of the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge for his performance on the pommel horse and horizontal bar.
The Owls have also seen its most notable performances from veterans Allan Malone, John Leonard, Evan Burke and Taylor Brana, all of whom finished top-three on their respective events during the West Point event finals. Mallone has proved to be a strong all-around contender, trailing Rydzefski's season high score by only .15 and posting impressive season high scores of 14.5 on the floor and 14.15 on the high bar.
Some of Temple's event specialists will play key roles this weekend as well. Sophomore Michael Bittner, has posted strong scores on the pommel horse, with a current season high of 14.45. Senior Dashiell Sears and freshman Evan Eigner will be the still ring workers to watch for the Owls, posting season high scores of 14.2 and 14.4, respectively.
Coming to Philadelphia with a total team season high score of 447.85, the top-ranked Nittany Lions will be showcasing newcomer Trevor Howard, who is coming off an 88. 25 all-around finish against Ohio State. Another Lion to watch is Craigh Hernandez, a sophomore who posted an impressive season high of 15.75 on the pommel horse.
The Tribe will also be bringing along its best competitors after its third place finish at the West Point Open. Ranked just one spot above the Owls, the Tribe will also be featuring an all-event working freshman Keaton Ackerman, who tallied a total of 80.65 points at his last competition. Still rings specialist Landon Funiciello is another Tribe member to look for. The junior received an impressive 15.4 on the event at the Tribe's season opener.
For those who are unable to attend, the meet will be streamed on OwlAccess (follow link po
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Ep. 28: Vice President/Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson
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