2008 Men's Gymnasts of the Week

April 4-5, 2008

ECAC Gymnastics Championship @ West Point

Team Report:
Temple, William & Mary, and Illinois-Chicago led by veteran coaches (Fred Turoff/32nd season), (Cliff Gauthier/35th saeson), and (C.J. Johnson/34th season) staged an epic battle at the 2008 ECAC Gymnastics Championship in the Lou Gross Gymnastics Center at West Point. Temple University totaled 341.45 to surprise the field upsetting 11th ranked William & Mary (341.35) and 12th ranked Illinois-Chicago (340.90) to capture the team championship. It was the closest margin of victory involving three teams in conference history. William & Mary, completed their last last rotation on vault, posting a very respectable 60.25, and then had to sit and watch, while Temple completed their last rotation on floor exercise, trailing 341.35 to 325.25 with one performer left to compete.

Luke Vexler turned in a spectacular 15.20 floor exercise performance to give the Owls the narrow 0.1 margin of victory. In perhaps a defining moment, Temple anguished on their 5th rotation (high bar), as their first two performers faltered on their routines, and then rallied to outscore the Tribe (Andy Hunter, Alex Egerter, Dave Locke, Andrew Hunt) 55.80 to 55.75 on the event as their final four performers (Luke Vexler, Sterling Kramer, Pat McLaughlin, Jason Russo) turned in outstanding performances. Although UIC posted the highest team scores on pommel horse(54.25) and rings(58.95) they completed their competition on parallel bars totaling a disappointing 55.60 to finish .55 behind Temple, .45 behind William & Mary and out of the mix for the NCAA Qualifier. The Owls and Tribe battled back and forth throughout the meet with Temple earning the highest team scores on floor exercise(59.0), vault(61.95) and horizontal bar(55.80) while William & Mary led all teams on parallel bars(55.65). By winning the conference championship the Owls, along with William & Mary, will travel to Palo Alto for the NCAA Qualifier at Stanford University on April 17th.

The individual event finals were indicative of the exciting preliminary competition as the top four teams all produced individual champions. All-Around champion Luke Vexler from Temple tied for 1st place on floor exercise with teammate Pat McLaughlin (15.0). James Prim of William & Mary captured the rings(15.1), Scott Bloomfield from Temple took honors on vault(16.15), freshman standout, Neal Thompson of UIC won the parallel bars(14.85), and Andrew Hunt from William & Mary captured the horizontal bar(14.55). Navy, the 4th place team (336.7) was led by Adam Stanton who took 1st place on pommel horse(14.75) to win his second consecutive ECAC title on that event. The all-around competition was dominated by the Owls Luke Vexler(1st), Pat McLaughlin(T-3rd) and the Flames Anthony May(2nd), Neal Thompson(T-3rd), Andrew Stover(5th).

Senior Award:
Luke Vexler from Temple, a film major from Amherst, Massachusetts captured his second consecutive all-around title with a score of 86.55. Vexler, advanced to five events in the individual finals, earning medals on four events. Along with his all-around title, Vexler tied teammate Pat McLaughlin for first on floor exercise(15.0) and placed 4th on rings vault, and horizontal bar. He is the 13th Temple all-around champion and 4th to win back to back titles (Tim Koopman, Bill Roth, Richie Maguire) under Turoff, who became the Temple coach in 1976. He is a 2008 finalist for the prestigious Nissen-Emery Award given at the NCAA Championships to the outstanding collegiate gymnast in the nation. He was the Temple MVP in both his sophomore & junior season.

Rookie of the Year:
Neal Thompson from UIC tied for 3rd in the all-around (84.25) with Pat McLaughlin(Temple) and captured 1st place on parallel bars for the Flames. The Woodside, California native was recognized three times during the season (January 14th, 28th, and March 15th) as the ECAC Rookie of the Week. He is a liberal arts and science major and will advance to the April 17th NCAA qualifier in the all-around competition. Thompson is a former USA Junior National team member.

Most Improved Gymnast:
Boris Rasin from MIT was recognized as the Most Improved Gymnast turning in a solid all-around performance(79.0)to finish in 13th place. Boris is a Materials Science & Engineering major and a 2006 2nd team academic all-american and a first team academic all-american selection in 2007. He attended Milton Academy and received his early training at the New England Sports Academy under coach Levon Karakhanyan.  Boris is a junior from Brookline, MA.

Coach of the Year:
Fred Turoff, now in his 32nd year as the Owls coach, has led Temple to 16 EIGL/ECAC team titles during his tenure. Turoff was the 1968 EIGL all-around and horizontal bar champion. A member of the 1970 USA World University Games Team and 1970 World Championship Team, he was inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame in 1984. He has received numerous NCAA Regional Coach of the Year awards and was recognized by the College Gymnastics Association in 2003 with the prestigious Honor Coach Award.

Assistant Coach of the Year:
Pete Walker of William & Mary was recognized by his peers as the ECAC Assistant Coach of the Year. A 1993 William & Mary graduate, Walker was an outstanding gymnast, one of only four Willaim & Mary gymnasts to rank in the top ten on every event when they graduated. He was elected team captain in both his junior and senior year for the Tribe and holds a degree in both Spanish and elementary education.

Weekend of March 29 - 30

Gymnast of the Week:
Adam Stanton (U.S. Naval Academy): a Systems Engineering major from Centennial, Colorado, Stanton won two events in the prelims of the USA Collegiate Championship in Blake Arena at Springfield College as Navy(339.30) won the team competition upsetting William & Mary(338.45). Adam became a USA Collegite All-American on three events winning pommel horse(14.65) and placing 2nd on parallel bars(14.85) and 4th on rings(14.0).  He received his early training under Kevin McMurchie at Dardano's Gymnastics.

Rookie of the Week:
Chris Valeski (William & Mary): a freshman business major from Wexford, Pennsylvania, Valeski earned his first USA Collegiate All-America honors placing 4th on floor exercise at the USA Collegiate Championship at Springfield College. He counted on both events (floor exercise/14.7) and (Vault/14.55) that he worked for the Tribe(338.45) who placed second to Navy(339.3). Chris was a four time high school academic all-american and received his early training under Scott Carslaw and Nick Fabish at the Pittsburgh North Stars.

Honorary Team:
U.S. Naval Academy: seven Navy gymnasts earned all-america honors by placing in the top six at the USA Collegiate Championship in Blake Arena at Springfield College as Navy upset upset William & Mary by .85 to win the team title for the first time in seven years. The Middies were led by Adam Stanton who won pommel horse and placed 4th on rings and 2nd on parallel bars. Other strong performances were turned by Joseph Atzenback (2nd on pommel horse & 3rd on high bar), Dylan Parrott(2nd on floor exercise & 3rd on parallel bars), Isaac Olson(2nd on high bar), Brandon Cook(5th on floor exercise), Grant Waldron (5th on Vault), and Chris Tam (5th on rings).

Weekend of March 21

Gymnast(s) of the Week:
Anthony May (UIC): recognized on January 14th as Gymnast of the Week, May receives honors for a second time as he turned in an all-around score of 7.15 to capture first place at the New England Championship at MIT. He also captured first on vault with a score of 15.85 while leading the Flames to a first place team finish. A junior from Houston, Texas, May is majoring in criminal justice. 

Rookie of the Week:  
Dylan Parrott (Navy): a freshman from Rockwell, North Carolina, Parrott is recognized as Rookie of the Week for a third time this season (February 11 & 8) as he turned in an impressive 85.15 all-around performance to place second to defending ECAC champion Luke Veler from Temple as Navy lost to both Temple (342.5) and William & Mary (345.25) at William and Mary. He also captured a second on both floor exercise(14.65) and parallel ars(14.85) and a 4th place on horizontal bar(14.05). Dylan received his early training under Greg Limelin at Cabarras County Gymnastics and was an an eight time Junior Olympic competitor.

Weekend of March 15

Gymnast of the Week
Matt Davis (Sprngfield College) - Davis won the pommel horse versus MIT and Army with a 14.7 en route to an historic victory, 26 years in the making. Matt is a USA Gymnastics scholar athlete, a USA Gymnastics All-American, and a team tri-captain for Springfield College. He is majoring in Sports Management.

Rookie of the Week
Neal Thompson (UIC) - Thompson placed 3rd on pommel horse (14.45) and tied for first on parallel bars with a score of 14.9 in UIC's loss to #6 Illinois-Urbana Champaign. The Woodside California native is a liberal arts and sciences major. This is his third weekly ECAC honor.

 
Honorary Team
Springfield College: after two early season losses to Army, the Pride knocked off the Cadets for the first time in 26 years defeating both Army and MIT in a March 16th tri-meet in Blake Arena. Springfield turned in a season high 338.3 to best Army(336.4) and MIT(325.3). Springfield got outstanding first place performances from Matt Davis (PH/14.7) and Matthew Bolognese (R/15.2). Other strong performances came from JJ Ferreira (2nd place on FX), Matt Tocchio (2nd place on PH), Keith Stumpf (2nd place on vault), Andy Kelly (2nd place on PB), Josh Spencer (2nd place on horizontal bar). Dr. Steven Posner, now in his 26th season as gymnastics mentor at Springfield College, was an All-American in floor exercise for Cal Berkely in 1974 and helped lead the Golden Bears to the 1975 NCAA Championship at Indianna State. Posner has received numerous coaching honors, most recently the 2002 NCAA Eastern Regional Coach of the Year and in 2007, the prestigious Honor Coach Award from the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) for 25 years of meritorious service.

 
Weekend of March 8th

Gymnast of the Week:

David Locke (William & Mary) - Locke, a kinesiology major from Natick, MA turned in solid performances on four events for William & Mary in their tri meet at Penn State with Navy. Combining spectacular tumbling combinations he scored a 15.05 to earn a second place on floor exercise. He followed that with scores of 15.45 on vault, 13.9 on parallel bars and 14.3 on horizontal bar (hitting both a Kovacs & Gaylord II to finish in the top 5)) as the Tribe (338.9) outscored Navy (336.7) to finish second behind national power Penn State (357.7). Locke received his early training at the New England Sports Academy under Levon Karakayan and has future plans to join Cirque du Soleil.

Rookie of the Week:

 
Weekend of February 29

Gymnast of the Week:

Derek Gygax (William & Mary) - a Biology major from Stevensville, Maryland, Gygax turned two outstanding all-around performances over the weekend as the Tribe posted a narrow 341.65 win over Navy (340.8)in Annapolis and followed it up with a season high team score (348.6) in a home win over Army (331.95) on Sunday. Derek posted a career high all-around 83.05 and (14.05) pommel horse and (13.8) horizontal bar against Navy which lasted until Sunday when he posted an 84.55 all-around total along with saeson highs on pommel horse (14.7), rings (13.95), parallel bars (14.1) and horizontal bar (13.85) against Army. In 2007 Derek was recognized as a 2nd team Academic All-American by the College Gymnastics Association. As a junior gymnast he trained under Don Clark at Clark's Gymnastics.

Rookie of the Week:
Andy Hunter (William & Mary) - a Business major from Tallahassee, Florida, Hunter worked four events (PH, R, PB, HB) for the Tribe in their meet Friday against Navy in Annapolis and Sunday at home against Army. Against Navy he turned in clutch performances on parallel bars (14.2) and horizontal bar 13.8) as William & Mary (341.65) bested Navy (340.8) in a close contest in Annapolis. At home on Sunday his personal best scores - pommel horse (14.0), rings (14.1), and horizontal bar (14.35) helped William & Mary post a season high team score (348.6) in their win over Army (331.95). A Business major, he is on track to receive Academic All-American honors this year. As a junior gymnast he trained under Jim Hisey at Gym Force in Tallahassee.

 
Weekend of February 22

Gymnast of the Week:
Luke Vexler (Temple) - a senior film major from Amherst, MA, Vexler led Temple to a narrowvictory (338.85) over UIC (337.10) and Army (331.70) at Army as the Owls raised their record to 10 wins and one loss. Along the way Vexler posted an 86.70 total for 6 events to capture the all-around along with three events: floor exercise (15.20), pommel horse (14.3) and vault (15.55) as well as a 2nd on horizontal bar (14.2). Luke is the defending ECAC all-around champion and was the 2005 ECAC Rookie of the Year. He was also a 2007 NCAA qualifier on four events (rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar). Prior to entering Temple Vexler trained at Hampshire Gymnastics under former U Mass standout Jeff La Valle and was a Junior National qualifier and all-around finalist.

Rookie of the Week:

 
February 18

Gymnast of the Week
Matt Boulognese (Springfield College) - Boulognese, a junior from Stonybrook, NY, turned in a 14.95 on Rings to take first place in Springfield's meet with Temple and MIT. Matt is a Business Management major and received his early training at Eastern Gymnastics under coach Bob Whitney.

Rookie of the Week
Dylan Parrott (U.S. Naval Academy) - Parrott is selected as Rookie of the Week for the second consecutive week by winning the all-around competition with a score of 82.95 as Navy (330.85) beat Air Force (322.80) and Army 318.70)at the All-Academy Championship in Laguna Beach,California. He lso captured first on Floor Exercise with a score of 15.25 and placed third on Parallel Bars with a score of 14.55. He is currently ranked 19th all-around in the NCAA standings and was an eight time competitor in the U.S. Junior Olympic Championships prior to entering the academy.

Hororary Team
U.S. Naval Academy - The Midshipmen captured the 2008 All-Academy Championship in Laguna Beach, California scoring a 330.85 to best Air Force 322.80) and Army (318.70). It was Navy's first ever championship as they captured four of six events (Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar)to snap Army's seven year domination of the event. The Midshipmen were paced by Dylan Parrott who captured the all-around competition (82.95) and teammate Chris Tam who placed third in the all-around. Parrott also captured first on Floor Exercise (15.45) while Joe Atzenback was Navy's other event winner taking first on Pommel Horse with a score of 13.40.

Week of February 11:

Rookie of the Week:

February 4, 2008
Honorary Team (Temple University) - Temple, under Head Coach Fred Turoff, now in his 32nd year guiding the Owls, knocked off defending Big Ten Champion Ohio State. Temple posted a season high 342.85 to best Ohio State's 341.15. While they have met in several recent dual meets and regional championships, it was the first ever win for the Owls over the Buckeyes. The Owls were led by junior John Vogtman, and seniors Luke Vexler and Sterling Kramer who placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in the all-around competition. Turoff worked 10 gymnasts in his lineup as Temple outscored the Buckeyes on five of six events. The Owls are defending ECAC Champions and have won 15 EIGL titles under Turoff's leadership. Luke Vexler was the 2007 EIGL all-arond champion and Sterling Kramer was the 2006 all-around champion. John Vogtman was recognized as ECAC Gymnast of the Week and voted National Gymnast of the Week by CGA (College Gymnastics Association.

Gymnast of the Week:
John Vogtman (Temple)- a junior civil engineering major from Baltimore, MD, John won the All-Around with a score of 86.60 to lead Temple (342.85) to a win over Ohio State (341.15) and Navy (332.85) at home. He also turned in a14.55 performance to capture first place on Pommel Horse. Along with Vogtman's all-around first Temple also captured a 2nd (Luke Vexler - 85.90) and a 3rd (Sterling Kramer - 84.50) in the all-around for the Owls first ever win over the defending Big 10 Champion Buckeyes. A Junior Olympic qualifier, Vogtman received his early training under coach Abdul Mammeri of Rebounders. John was named first team All-America Scholar Athlete for 2007.

Rookie of the Week:
Scott Bloomfield (Temple)- a sophomore with freshman eligibility and working in only his third meet for Temple, Bloomfield counted on three of four events in their win over Ohio State and Navy. On Vault he scored a spectacular 16.35 to capture first place and outdistance the nearest competitor by .75. Scott was a four time Junior Olympic qualifier and received his early training at American Gymnastics Training Center under Vasile Cioana and Robin Artz. He is from Wallingford, CT and is an undeclared major.

Week of January 28, 2008 

Gymnast of t he Week: 
Andrew Hunt (William & Mary) - At the Navy Open last weekend, the senior from Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania, pulled off a double win. He turned in a 14.95 performance to capture the Parallel Bars and followed it with an equally strong performance of 14.80 to win the Horizontal Bar. He also placed 5th on Rings with a 14.05 score. A major in Sociology and Anthropology Hunt received his early training at the Lehigh Valley Sports Academy under John Becker and Robert Mejias. This summer he participated in an archaeological dig in the Bahamas.

Rookies of the Week:  
Chris Valeska (William & Mary) - a freshman from Wexford, Pennsylvania, competing in his first meet for William & Mary, he tallied 28.15 points, scoring 14.95 on Vault anbd 13.20 on Horizontal Bar in helping his team to a second place finish in the Navy Open. He turned in a solid performances on Floor EWxercise and Parallel Bars. Chris was a four time USAG high school Academic All-American and received his early training under Nick Fabish and Scott Carslaw at the Pittsburgh North Stars.

Neal Thompson (UIC) - Rookie of the Week in week one of the season, Thompson turned in another very solid all-around performance earning a 2nd place with an 82.85 total in a home loss to the University of Iowa. He won Parallel Bars with a 14.70 and posted a personal high on Rings with a score of 14.25.  The former USA Junior National Team member is from Woodside, California.

Week of  January 21, 2008 

Gymnast of the Week: 
Adam Stanton (U.S. Naval Academy) - a junior from Denver Colorado, majoring in Systems Engineering, Adam placed first on pommel horse at the 2008 West Point Open this past weekend.  He scored a 14.25 to top Jamie Henderson (2nd) and Tim Pittman (3rd) of Team Gattica to become the first Navy gymnast since 2001 to caputure an event at the West Point Open.  He also advanced to the event finals on parallel bars and also performed on Rings, his third event, in helping the Middies to a 3rd place team finish.

Rookie of the Week: 
Tyler Croteau (Temple University) - Tyler is a red shirt freshman majoring in Chemistry and comes from East Swanzey, New Hampshire. He received his early training under 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, Tim Dagget and was a Junior Olympic qualifier prior to entering Temple. Competing in his first collegiate meet, he worked three events for the Owls, helping them to a 2nd place team finish behind Team Gattica (1st) and Navy (3rd). He advanced to the Vault finals where his 15.05 score earned a 5th place medal.

Week of January 14, 2008

Gymnast of the Week:
Anthony May (UIC) - May, is a junior in LAS majoring in criminal justice and a tri-captain on the 2008 UIC team.    His 82.45 all around total placed him 3rd just behind UIC teammate Neal Thompson at the Windy City Invitational last weekend that also featured strong field of competitors from Stanford, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota.  Anthony was also UIC's highest vaulter scoring a 15.40.  While Stanford standout David Sender won the all around competition, the 2nd place finish of freshman Neal Thompson and 3rd place finish of junior Anthony May was an impressive start to the season for the Flames.

Rookie of the week:
Neal Thompson (UIC) - Thompson, a freshman in LAS with an undeclared major, is from Woodside CA.  It was his first competiton for the UIC Flames who were hosting the Windy City Invitational this past weekend.  With the NCAA utilizing the FIG Open scoring system for the first time, his 82.85 all-around total earned 2nd place behind Stanford standout and all-around champion, David Sender.  As a former USA Junior National Team member, it was an impressive start for the freshman.  Also, with a 15.0 start value on parallel bars he scored a 14.6 to place 2nd on the event to Illinois gymnast Wesley Haagensen.