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Gopher Men’s Gymnastics 2008-09

Welcome to Golden Gopher Gymnastics

QUICK FACTSFounded: 1851

Location: Minneapolis, Minn.

Enrollment: 50,883

President: Robert H. Bruininks

Faculty Representative: Dr. Richard Weinberg

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics: Joel Maturi

Colors: Maroon & Gold

Nickname: Golden Gophers

Affiliation: NCAA Division I

Conference: Big Ten

Home Facility: Sports Pavilion (5,700)

Head Coach: Mike Burns (fifth season)

Career Record: 19-20

Assistant Coaches: Konstantin Kolesnikov, Russ Fystrom

Athletic Trainer: Jennifer Novak

2008 Dual Meet Record: 8-12

2008 Big Ten Finish: Fifth

2008 NCAA Championship Finish: N/A

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/5

Gymnastics Office Phone: 612-625-9567

TABLE OF CONTENTSHead Coach Mike Burns ..........................................................2-3Assistant Coaches .......................................................................4Support Staff ................................................................................52008 Season Outlook ...............................................................6-7Student-Athlete Profiles..........................................................8-12The University of Minnesota....................................................A-CUniversity Campus ..................................................................D-EThe Twin Cities ........................................................................F-GEntertainment............................................................................H-IAthletics Excellence .................................................................J-KLife Skills .................................................................................L-MAcademics................................................................................N-0Athletics Facilities........................................................................P2007 Results and Statistics ..................................................29-302007 Season Review............................................................31-32NCAA & Big Ten Champions .....................................................33Awards & Honors.......................................................................34Coaching and NCAA Championships History............................35Scoring Records ...................................................................36-37Letterwinners ........................................................................38-39University President Robert Bruininks .......................................40Athletics Director Joel Maturi .....................................................40National Team Members..........................................................IBC

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shallhave equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regardto race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, dis-ability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

CREDITS

The 2009 Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics media guide is published by University of Minnesota Athletic Communications. Additional copiesof may be purchased for $8 (shipping & handling included) by ordering online at www.gophersports.com or sending a check made payableto the University of Minnesota to:

University of Minnesota Athletics Media Relations244 Bierman Field Athletic Building516 15th Ave. SEMinneapolis, Minn. 55455

For more information, please contact the athletic communications office at:Phone: (612) 625-4090 Fax: (612) 625-0359Email: [email protected]

The 2009 Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics media guide was written and compiled by Mike Burns, Andy Seeley and Sara Berhow. Layout anddesign by Sara Berhow. Covers by Sara Berhow. Photography by Alicia Jerome, Jerry Lee and Eric Miller. Special Thanks: UMAA, UniversityRelations, Greater Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, St. Paul Convention & Visitors Bureau, Minnesota Vikings, MinnesotaOffice of Tourism, Office of the Governor, NBA Photos.

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Athletic Communications Director: Garry BowmanAssociate Directors: Becky Bohm, Andy Seeley, Matt SlieterDirector of Internet Services: John RomoAssistant Directors: Sara Berhow, Steve Geller, Michelle TraenDirector of Creative Services: Jeff KeiserAssistant Creative Director: Chris LagasseCommunications Intern: Doug Vose

2009 TEAM ROSTERNAME YEAR HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL CLUB

Ali Aleiou So. Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East HS Swiss Turners Gymnastics AcademyKit Beikmann Sr. Brighton, Colo./Legacy HS Extreme AltitudeAndre Berry Jr. Hempstead, Texas/Waller HS Cypress AcademyRoss Cameratta Fr. Independence, Ohio/St. Ignatius Gymnastics WorldEdward Campbell Sr. Salt Lake City, Utah/Skyline HS USA GymnasticsRussell Dabritz Fr. Rowley, Mass./Triton Regional HS Yellow Jackets Gymnastics ClubChase Etem Jr. Maple Lake, Minn./Maple Lake HS North Shore GymnasticsAaron Fortunato Jr. Bedford, Ohio/Home school Gymnastics WorldTravis Heaver So. Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley HS Great Northern GymnasticsMichael Hillin Jr. San Antonio, Texas/William Howard Taft HS Alamo GymnasticsAdam LaFleur Fr. New Brighton, Minn./Irondale HS Midwest GymnasticsCameron Lee Jr. Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest HS TAGS Eden PrairieColin McGuire Jr. Plano, Texas/Spring Creek Academy World Olympic Gymnastics AcademyMichael Morse Fr. East Amherst, N.Y./Clarence Senior HS Greater Buffalo Gymnastics CenterThomas O'Brien Jr. Westfield, N.J./Westfield HS Surgent's Elite GymnasticsMichael Paulus So. Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS Twin City TwistersAlex Quast Sr. Vadnais Heights, Minn./White Bear Lake HS Midwest Gymnastics CenterAdam Reichow Jr. Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS TAGS Eden PrairieDJ Repp Fr. Albuquerque, N.M./Manzano HS Gold Cup GymnasticsCole Storer Jr. Plano, Texas/Spring Creek Academy World Olympic Gymnastics Academy

Head Coach: Mike Burns Assistant Coaches: Konstantin Kolesnikov, Russ Fystrom

[ 1 ] Minnesota Gymnastics 2009

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Gopher Men’s Gymnastics 2009

Coaching Staff


Mike Burns is entering his fifth season as head coach of the Minnesota Men's Gymnastics Program. In 2005,his first year as the Gopher’s head coach, Burns began laying the foundation for the future of the Gopher pro-gram.

In just his third year at the helm (2007), Burns led the Golden Gophers to the NCAA Team Finals for thefirst time since 1990. According to the Gophers mentor, qualifying for the Team Finals (top six) is definitely thegoal every season.

“The only way to win the NCAA title is to get to the team Finals, so that’s a goal on an annual basis for us,”Burns said.

Unfortunately, the Gophers did not qualify for the Team Finals in 2008, coming up just short in the TeamQualifier. With the NCAA Championships being hosted at the University of Minnesota in 2009, the Gopherswould love to compete in the Team Finals on their home floor. This achievement would fit nicely into the mas-ter plan Burns has put together to rewrite the Gopher gymnastics history books.

“This program has been in existence for 106 years, and we have never won a national title,” Burns said.“That would be a gift I truly want to give to the entire Gopher gymnastics alumni community, many of whom stilllive right here in the Twin Cities.”

A large part of the plan revolves around recruiting the best student-athletes in the country, bringing theminto the Gopher athletic department family and creating champions. Burns has developed into a solid recruitersince setting up shop in Cooke Hall. Talented gymnasts continue to seek out the Maroon & Gold of Minnesotagymnastics.

Burns, a native of Norwood, Mass., came to the Gophers from Michigan where he was assistant men’scoach since 1997. Burns received the National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 1999, while helping lead

BURNS AT A GLANCE

COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE

• Named head coach at Minnesota on September 27,

2004

• Assistant coach, University of Michigan (1997-2004)

• Assistant coach, University of Iowa (1980-91)

INTERNATIONAL COACHING EXPERIENCE

• Head coach, Team USA at 2007 Pan Am Games

(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

• Assistant coach, Team USA at 2007 World Championships (Stuttgart, Germany)

• Assistant coach, Team USA at 2006 World Championships (Aarhus, Denmark)

• Assistant coach, 2006 Team USA tri-meet vs. France and Switzerland (Paris,

France)

• Assistant coach, Team USA at 2005 Pan American Championships (Rio de

Janeiro)

• Assistant coach, Team USA at 2005 Paris Bercy World Cup Competitions (Paris,

France)

• Head coach, Team USA at 2003 Jurassic Classic (Calgary, Alberta)

• Assistant coach, Team USA at 1999 World University Games (Mallorca, Spain)

• Head coach, 1998 International Gymnastics Cup (Acapulco, Mexico)

• Assistant coach, Team USA vs. Canada, 1990 (Prince Edward Island, Canada)

• Head coach, Team USA, Tournament of Champions (Cottbus, East Germany)

COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Coached 2007 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Andre Berry)

• Coached 2005 Nissen-Emery Award winner, Guillermo Alvarez

• Coached 2002 Nissen-Emery Award winner, Justin Toman

• Coached five national champions, 58 All-Americans and 32 Big Ten champions

• Coached 2000 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Scott Vetere

• Coached 1999 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Vetere)

• Coached 1998 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Kevin Roulston)

• Assistant coach of 1986, 1999 and 2000 Big Ten team champions

• Placed seven gymnasts on the USA National Team (1986-2003)

COACHING ACCOLADES

• USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year (2007)

• Big Ten Coach of the Year (2007)

• National Assistant Coach of the Year (1989, 1999, 2000)

EDUCATION

• Penn State University, B.S., Geological Sciences, 1981

Mike Burnshead coach • fifth season

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Michigan to the 1999 NCAA Championship. He received the same honor in 2000,after leading the Wolverines to the second of two-consecutive Big Ten team titles.During his tenure at Michigan, he coached five national champions, 37 All-Americans,and 14 Big Ten champions.

Prior to his stint in Ann Arbor, Mich., Burns was assistant coach at the University ofIowa from 1980 to 1991. During his time with the Hawkeyes, Burns was named the 1989National Assistant Coach of the Year, marking the first of three times in which he would earn thataward. Burns helped lead Iowa to the 1986 Big Ten Championship and aided the team in qualifyingfor the NCAA Championships in eight straight seasons from 1984-1991. He coached 16 Big Ten individ-ual champions and 15 NCAA All-Americans while at Iowa. Burns was also a member of the USA NationalTeam coaching staff from 1986-90 and coached four U.S. National Team members.

Burns also has extensive international coaching experience. He most recently served as assistantcoach for Team USA at the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany where Gopher alumGuillermo Alvarez placed fourth in the world on floor exercise. He was also the head coach for the2007 Pan Am Games Team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the team earned a bronze medal.Individually, Guillermo Alvarez won the bronze medal in the all-around and the silver medal onthe floor exercise.

In October of 2006, Burns again served as the assistant coach for Team USA at theWorld Championships in Aarhus, Denmark with Gopher alums Clay Strother andGuillermo Alvarez. He served in the same capacity in a tri-meet with USA, France, andSwitzerland held in Paris in June of 2006.

In 2005, he served as an assistant coach for Team USA as they earned the goldmedal at the Pan American Championships and was also an assistant for TeamUSA at the Paris Bercy World Cup Competition. He was the head coach of theGold Medal USA Team at the 2003 Jurassic Classic in Calgary, Alberta. Healso served as assistant coach for Team USA at the 1999 World UniversityGames in Mallorca, Spain and was the head coach for the USA Team at theInternational Gymnastics Cup in Acapulco, Mexico. In 1987, Burns wasthe delegation leader and head coach of the USA Team at the Tournament of Champions inCottbus, East Germany, and he was an assistant coach for the USA Team vs. Canada at PrinceEdward Island, Canada in 1990.

Outside of his collegiate coaching career, Burns has also worked at the Junior Olympic level. He servedas head coach at the Albuquerque (N.M.) Gymnastics School from 1994-97. During that time, he qualified11 gymnasts to the 1997 Junior National Championships and 10 gymnasts to the 1996 Junior NationalChampionships, where he coached the Class II National All-Around champion.

Burns has been an ambassador for gymnastics for more than 20 years and has served in several admin-istrative roles for the betterment of the sport. He was recently elected President of the College GymnasticsAssociation after serving as Vice President since 2004. He has been a member of the USA GymnasticsBoard of Directors since 2000 and was recently re-elected to the Board as one of three representatives ofthe Advisory Council, a group of 19 organizations that have affiliation with USA Gymnastics. He has alsobeen a member of the USA Gymnastics Finance Committee since 2000. He held the position of VicePresident of the US Elite Coaches Association for Men from 1998-2002 before taking over as president in2002.

Burns received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Sciences from Penn State University in1981. He was married to Dr. Stephanie Devaney in July of 2008. The couple resides in St. Paul, Minn.


Coaching Staff


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Coaching Staff


Konstantin Kolesnikov is entering his fourth season as an assistant coach withthe University of Minnesota men’s gymnastics team.

Kolesnikov came to Minnesota from M&M Gymnastics in New Berlin, Wis., wherehe served as head coach since 1998. Kolesnikov earned Coach of the Year honors in1998 and helped his boys’ team qualify for the Junior Olympics five of his last six sea-sons at M&M. He coached individual gymnasts to scores of 10.0 on the floor exercisein 2005 and on the parallel bars in 2003, and coached a member of the 2003 FutureStars Junior Olympic Developmental Team.

Prior to his work at M&M Gymnastics, Kolesnikov was a boys’ coach for the SwissTurners Gymnastics Academy in West Allis, Wis., from 1996-98. While coaching withthe Turners, Kolesnikov worked with all levels of the boys’ program and tutored future

Olympians Paul and Morgan Hamm. Kolesnikov also performed as an expert clinician at the USA GymnasticsNational Congress in 1998 and was the Junior Pan American Gymnastics Team Coach in 1998 when the teamfinished first.

Kolesnikov was a trainer for Dynamo Sports Complex in Voronezh, Russia from 1994-96 where he select-ed and trained Olympic hopefuls in the Soviet Union gymnastics system.

A member of the USSR/Russian Senior National Team from 1991-95, Kolesnikov was honored with theMaster of International Class in the Sport of Gymnastics from the Russian Ministry of Sport. He also receivedhis Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Gymnastics Training from the Moscow Institute ofPhysical Culture in 1994.

Kolesnikov and his wife, Stefny, have two children, a son, Nikolai, and a daughter, Meela.

“Kostya has been an incredible asset to this program in the three short years he has been onboard. His knowledge of the sport is exceptional and his ability to relate to the guys on the team isphenomenal. He has been a great addition to our staff here at Minnesota and it’s great working withhim on a daily basis.”

– Head Men’s Gymnastics Coach Mike Burns

Konstantin Kolesnikovassistant coach • fourth season

Jennifer NovakAthletic Trainer

Chris CordsAcademic Counselor

Andy SeeleyAthletic

Communications

Dr. Elizabeth

ArendtMedical Director

Megan AppellEvent Management

Deborah DiamondMarketing

Sam SmithPublic Address

Announcer

Dave SchuellerStrength &

Conditioning Coach

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Support Staff


A four-year letterwinner for the Golden Gophers and a 1973 graduate of theUniversity, Russ Fystrom is entering his 27th season as an assistant coach atMinnesota.

Fystrom recorded an outstanding gymnastics career in his own right. A three-timeAAU pommel horse vice champion, he was a captain for the Golden Gophers during the1973 season. In that same year, Fystrom won the Big Ten pommel horse title. Thirty-fouryears later he coached Kit Beikmann to that same title, as Beikmann was the 2007 BigTen Champion on pommel horse.

A national and international certified judge, Fystrom was selected to coach at the1985 U.S. Olympic Festival in Houston. After graduating from the U of M in 1973, hetaught high school at Edina. He is currently a teacher in the Burnsville school system.

Russ was recently voted in as one of two Senior Coaches Representative of the USAG Men’s ProgramCommittee (MPC). The MPC determines the direction of the entire Men’s Program in the United States and isthe most powerful committee in men’s gymnastics. The coaches of the current Senior National Team vote fortheir representative on the MPC.

Fystrom and his wife Janet have three children: twin daughters, Amelia and Martha, and a son, Charles.

"Russ has been one of the most loyal Gopher coaches at Minnesota in his 27 years as an assistant.His knowledge of the FIG Code of Points and how to utilize it in the gym combined with his many yearsof experience with college gymnastics makes him an invaluable member of our staff."

– Head Men’s Gymnastics Coach Mike Burns

The 2005 Nissen-Emery Award winnerduring his senior year as a Gopher gymnast,Guillermo was a member of the 2007 WorldChampionships Team that finished in fourthplace in Stuttgart, Germany. He qualified forthe floor exercise finals where he finished infourth place, narrowly missing the medalstand.

Prior to the 2007 Worlds, Guillermo com-peted at the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilwhere he was a member of the bronze medal team as well astaking the bronze in the all-around and the silver medal on thefloor exercise.

A member of the U.S. National Team since February 2005,Alvarez has represented the United States in a number ofinternational competitions. His first opportunity actually camein 2003 when he was a member of the World University

Games Team that competed in Daegu, South Korea. Sincethen, he has competed at the Paris-Bercy World Cup meetwhere he was a finalist on the floor exercise, the 2005 Pan AmChampionships in Rio de Janeiro where he was a member ofthe gold medal team as well as a silver medalist on floor exer-cise, the 2006 Pacific Alliance Meet in Honolulu, Hawaii, a tri-meet in Paris against France and Switzerland where the U.S.team won the gold medal, the 2006 World Championships inAarhus, Denmark, the 2007 Pan Am Games and most recent-ly the 2007 World Championships.

Alvarez was an eight-time NCAA All-American as aGopher, as well as a four-time CGA Academic All-American.He was also the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient in 2005. Heserved as a team captain in his senior season at Minnesota.

Russ Fystromassistant coach • 27th season

Guilllermo Alvarezvolunteer administrative assistant

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2009 Season Preview


The Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics program will host the2009 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics National Championships inApril of 2009.

“What a great way for our guys to showcase their tal-ents, in their home arena and in front of their home crowd,”Gopher head coach Mike Burns said.

Entering his fifth year at the helm of the Gophers, Burnsfeels confident about the program and its steady improve-ment. This year should be no different with the addition of astellar freshmen class.

“We are very excited about the freshman class and whatthese young men can do to help this team move forward,”Burns said.

While a freshman class can bolster a team’s future, thereturning lettermen are usually the strength and core of ateam. That should hold true for the Gophers in 2009. Tenreturning letterwinners will be the backbone of the team.Nine of the 10 have experience at the Big Ten and theNCAA Championships, which are the main focus of theseason every year.

“Our dual meet season is our preparation to shine at thechampionship meets at the end of the year,” Burns said.“The Big Ten’s and the NCAA’s are probably two of the mostexciting gymnastics competitions in the world. Many peoplewatched the gymnastics competition at the Beijing SummerOlympics and thought it was exciting. Well, we are bringingthe NCAA Championships to the Sports Pavilion this yearand I can guarantee this is a more exciting competition thanthe Olympics. For those fans who will be on hand, they willbe pleasantly surprised at how intense this meet can be.”

Gymnastics excitement is coming to town and theGopher gymnastics squad is set to provide as much of theirown excitement as possible this year. A very tough homeschedule will prepare the Gophers for the even toughermeets at the end of the season.

“We are hosting the top four teams from last year’sNCAA Championships this year,” Burns said. “Oklahoma,

Stanford, Illinois and Penn State will all travel toMinneapolis to take on the Gophers during the dual meetseason. We have our hands full with our schedule this yearand if we can capitalize on the advantage of being at home,we have a very good chance of shaking up the upper ech-elon of collegiate men’s gymnastics.”

2008 All-American Cole Storer will be leading a stronggroup of talented gymnasts onto the competition floor thisyear. Storer finished second on the high bar at the 2008NCAA Championships.

“Cole has the ability to post some high scores for thisteam and we will need him to do the same this year,” Burnssaid. “Cole is a two-time All-American and we expect moreof the same out of him this year.”

Joining Storer will be co-captains Kit Beikmann andAaron Fortunato.

“Kit and Aaron will lead the team this year, along withtheir talented teammates,” Burns said. “I’m excited aboutthe direction the team is going and I believe Kit and Aaronwill provide strong leadership throughout the season.”

Beikmann, the 2007 Big Ten Champion on pommelhorse, was the runner-up in the event last season.

“Kit has worked extremely hard this summer to re-claimthat Big Ten Title,” Burns said. “He and I are both lookingforward to the Big Ten meet in early April.”

Fortunato was the team’s primary all-around gymnastlast year. He competed in the all-around in all 11 meets lastyear and finished seventh at the Big Ten Championships.

“Aaron was our anchor last year, competing in everyevent of every meet,” Burns said. “It’s a real testament tohis fitness level to be able to handle that kind of a schedule.My guess is he’ll be asked to do the same thing this year.”

In an event-by-event analysis, the Gophers will again bestrong on the floor exercise and the vault. Minnesota lostmuch of its scoring potential on the still rings and the highbar to graduation, so the freshman class will be looked tofor much-needed depth in those events.

FLOOR EXERCISE

Minnesota has a long history of strong floor exercise teamsand this year should be no different. Adam Reichow, ColinMcGuire, Andre Berry and Fortunato will join Storer as thestrength of the floor line-up. Senior Eddie Campbell missedthe end of the 2008 season on Floor due to an ankle injury,but should be able to get back to form and add more depthto an already strong lineup.

“Floor exercise is a great event for us to start on in ourhome meets, because we can come out strong on the firstevent and make a statement,” Burns said. “At the 2009 BigTen Championships, we will actually finish the meet on thefloor exercise, which means we’ll go into the last event onour strongest event. That’s not a bad recipe for success.”

Michael Hillin was a solid replacement for Campbellafter he went down with his ankle injury.

“Michael did a great job for us on floor in place of Eddieand he actually posted a career-high score at the NCAAChampionships.”

Freshman DJ Repp is a powerhouse on floor, accordingto Burns, and will add even more depth to an already solidline-up.

POMMEL HORSE

Pommel horse will again be led by Beikmann. A solid com-petitor with a keen desire to win, Beikmann will be theanchor on pommel horse. Joining him will be ThomasO’Brien, Fortunato, McGuire, Berry and Hillin.

“We have the makings of a very strong pommel horseteam,” Burns said. “This is a quirky event for us and we willneed to rely on the guys with the most ice water in theirveins. This is no event for the faint of heart.”

Joining the core of the horse lineup is junior CameronLee, along with freshmen Russell Dabritz, DJ Repp andRoss Cameratta. Burns says the top six pommel horse per-formers will need to step up before the season starts.

Aaron Fortunato

Andre Berry

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STILL RINGS

Still Rings is the event where the Gophers lost the most tograduation. Returning letterwinners O’Brien, Fortunato,Hillin and Alex Quast will be key members of the lineup, butthe freshmen will be counted on heavily on this event.

“DJ Repp was the Junior National Champion on stillrings at the 2008 VISA Championships and he should bethe mainstay of our lineup this year and in years to come,”Burns said. “I expect great things from this young guy.”

Freshmen Russell Dabritz and Ross Cameratta will alsobe counted on heavily to add strength to the rings line up.

“Russell qualified as a member of the Junior NationalTeam this past summer at the 2008 VISA Championshipsand he has the potential to be a name that will go down inthe history books of Gopher gymnastics,” Burns said.

According to Burns, sophomores Travis Heaver andMichael Paulus could also see action on the rings this year.

“These two guys have worked hard to break into thelineup and this could be their year,” he said.

VAULT

The vault should once again be a solid event for theGophers with NCAA finalist Storer as the top returner fromlast year. The loss of Big Ten champion Mitchell Mays tograduation will be tough to overcome, but the otherreturnees have been training well since last season andshould help Minnesota prove to be one of the top teams inthe nation on Vault.

“Reichow, a 2007 All-American on vault, McGuire, Berryand Fortunato all return from last year’s team,” Burns saidof the vaulters. “Repp will again add lots of scoring poten-tial on this event along with Adam LaFleur. Walk-on MichaelMorse could also prove to be a contributor on this event aswell.”

PARALLEL BARS

Fortunato will lead the parallel bars group this year, along-side senior teammate Campbell. These two will be joinedby juniors O’Brien, Hillin and Berry. Paulus, a sophomore,could also break into the lineup this year, with a much-improved skill level.

“This is an event the guys spent a lot of time on thissummer,” Burns said. “I look forward to this being a strongevent for the Gophers.”

As with many other events, the freshman trio ofCameratta, Dabritz and Repp will be looked to for produc-tion on this event. They all come in with a high level of skilland could prove to be a tremendous asset for the Gophers.

HORIZONTAL BAR

The most exciting and high-flying event will be competedlast during dual meets. The Gophers should provide plentyof excitement in this already thrilling event.

“High bar is a great event for the crowd, because of allthe daring release moves, intricate pirouetting skills and dif-ficult dismounts that require such precision,” Burns said.“Our team is gearing up for an exciting finish to every dualmeet this season on the high bar.”

Storer is the top returner from last season, with a sec-ond-place finish at the NCAA Championships and a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships.

“Being so close to a national title has created an amaz-ing hunger in Cole’s belly,” Burns said. “The only thing thatwill really satisfy that hunger is standing on top of theawards podium with a national title in his hands.”

Joining Storer on the bar will be fellow juniors Fortunato,McGuire, Hillin and Berry. McGuire was also a Big Ten final-ist in 2008, finishing in eighth place. Freshmen Repp andDabritz will also add needed depth to this event, with theGophers losing two big routines to graduation.

“DJ will do a dazzling routine with as many as fourrelease moves that will get the crowd on its feet every timehe gets on the high bar,” Burns said. “Russell is also a greathigh bar worker, so these two freshmen are going to berelied on heavily in this event. Junior Ali Aleiou has madegreat strides on this event and should see action this yearwith a much-improved high bar routine”

THE 2009 SEASON

The Gophers will have the top four teams from the 2008NCAA Championships coming to town this year at theSports Pavilion. Oklahoma, Stanford, Illinois, and PennState will all make appearances at “the Pav” prior to the2009 NCAA Championships which will be hosted byMinnesota April 16 – 18, 2009. The best of the best will beon hand to compete for the national title.

Minnesota last hosted the NCAA’s in 1990, when theGophers were national runners-up.

“Our dual meet season is relied upon heavily to prepareus for the post season competition,” Burns said. “The BigTens and the NCAA’s are the keys to a successful seasonand our daily focus will be geared toward peak perform-ances at those two meets.”

The Big Ten Conference is by far the toughest confer-ence with all six teams being ranked in the top 10 at the endof the 2008 season.

“The Big Ten Team Title is our goal this year,” Burnssaid. “The key to achieving that goal is consistent perform-ances and clean execution. This team has the potential tomake that goal a reality, but there are five other Big Tenteams that will try to keep that from happening. We wel-come that challenge and look forward to April 3, 2009.”



Eddie Campbell

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Gopher Profiles


ALIEOU’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . Date

Floor exercise . . . . . . . 6.150. . . . 3/3/07Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.950. . . . 3/3/07High bar . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.450. . . . 3/3/07

2008: Did not see action.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Competed in one meet •earned scores of 6.150 on floor, 7.950 on vault, and 8.450 onhigh bar against Wisconsin (3/3).

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Brookfield EastHigh School • trained at Swiss Turners Gymnastics Academy• club coaches were Stacy Maloney, Andrei Kan and AlexBelanovski • was a regional team member in 2000, 2001,2003, 2005 and 2006 • was the regional champion in 2001and 2003 • placed seventh on the high bar at the JuniorOlympic National Championship in 2001 • finished seventh atthe Future Stars competition in 2000.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in biomedical engineering • wasan honor roll member in high school • a National HonorSociety member • hobbies include world travel • son ofSandra Whitehead and Aziz Aleiou • has a sister, Aisha (16)and a brother, Adam (12) • born 1/5/88.

JuniorBrookfield, Wis. Brookfield H.S.

Swiss Turner’s Academy

Ali

Aleiou

BEIKMANN’S CAREER HIGHS

Event.................Score . . Date

Pommel horse ...........15.000 . . . 3/15/2008

2008 • JUNIOR SEASON: Big Ten pommel horse runner-up •All-Big Ten honoree • finished ninth at NCAA Championships• competed on horse at 11 meets • earned his season-bestscore of 15.000 at Oklahoma (3/15) • scored a 14.900 at theBig Ten event finals to take runner-up honors • was theGophers’ top scorer on horse at 10 of his 11 competitions •earned scores of 14.600 or higher on pommel horse seventimes during the season • Academic All-Big Ten honoree •named a second-team CGA All-America Scholar Athlete •earned third varsity letter.

2007 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Big Ten pommel horsechampion • an All-American and All-Big Ten honoree • com-peted on horse at 13 meets • earned his career-best score of9.200 at the NCAA Championship event qualifier (4/13) toadvance to the event finals • earned a 8.875 at the NCAAevent finals to gain All-America acclaim • won the Big Ten titleon horse with a mark of 9.125 • Minnesota’s first Big Tenchampion on pommel horse since John Roethlisberger in1991 • was the Gophers’ top scorer on horse at 11 of 13 com-

SeniorBrighton, Colo.

Legacy H.S.Extreme Altitude

Kit

Beikmann

BERRY’S CAREER HIGHS

Event . . . . . . . .Score . . . .Date

Floor exercise . . . .14.900 . . . . .3/15/08Pommel horse . . . .14.25 . . . . . .4/4/08Still rings . . . . . . . .12.300 . . . . .1/12/08Vault . . . . . . . . . . .16.000 . . . . .4/4/08Parallel bars . . . . .14.350 . . . . .4/4/08Horizontal bar . . . .14.000 . . . . .2/2/08All around . . . . . . .80.250 . . . . .1/12/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed in every meet •scored season-best marks in pommel horse (14.250), vault(16.000) and parallel bars (14.350) during the Big Ten teamchampionships • qualified for the Big Ten individual event

JuniorHempstead, Texas

Waller H.S.Cypress Academy

Andre

Berry

Kit Beikmann

Andre Berry

petitions • earned scores of 9.0 or higher on pommel horse sixtimes during the season • letterwinner.

2006 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Competed on the pommelhorse in every meet of the season • earned his best horsescore, a 8.650, at the Pacific Coast Classic (2/25) • performedon the parallel bars in seven competitions • scored his bestmark on the parallel bars, a 8.250, against Wisconsin (3/4) •had Minnesota’s top pommel horse score at the NCAA meet,placing eighth to advance to the event preliminaries • earnedan 8.400 on the pommel horse in the event prelims to finish17th in the nation • letterwinner.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduate of Legacy High School • trained atExtreme Altitude • four-time Academic All-American.

PERSONAL: Majoring in environmental science and policymanagement • Son of Steve and Elizabeth Beikmann • born4/12/87.

finals on the vault, finishing ninth • was in the lineup on floorand vault at every meet • posted best floor score of 14.900 atOklahoma (3/15) • tallied top-three finishes on floor exercise,vault (twice) and high bar • Oklahoma meet may have beenhis best of season, with a 13.450 pommel horse score and a15.800 vault • earned his second varsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: The Big Ten Freshman of theYear • an All-American and All-Big Ten honoree • competed inevery meet, and was an all around competitor nine times •earned his best all around score (52.750) at the NCAAChampionship qualifier (4/12) • was in the line up on floor atevery meet, earning his best score of 9.500 at the Big TenChampionship (3/30) • qualified to compete in the event finalsat the Big Ten meet, and scored a 9.300 • competed on pom-mel horse 10 times during the season, earning his best markof 8.550 against Wisconsin (3/3) • performed on rings at 11meets, and scored a 9.100 to set a career-best at the NCAAteam qualifier (4/12) • vaulted at 11 competitions, setting hisbest mark with a 9.400 at the NCAA team qualifier (4/12) • his9.400 on vault was the team’s best vault score of the year •competed on parallel bars nine times during the season, earn-ing a season-high 8.850 against Wisconsin (3/3) • was in theline up on high bar at 10 meets, and earned his best score atthe NCAA Championship team finals with an 8.700 (4/13) •winner of the team’s Outstanding Freshman Award, along withCole Storer • earned his first varsity letter • competed at the2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Waller High School• trained at Cypress Academy • club coaches were TomMeadows, Colby Van Cleave and Mike Dutka • a JuniorNational Team member in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005 • fin-ished seventh in the all around at the Junior Olympic NationalChampionship in 2005 • competed at the Visa U.S.Championship in 2004 and 2005, and placed seventh in theall around both times • won the all around title at the TexasState Championship in 2005 • won the vault title at the J.O.National meet in 2002 • took first place on the pommel horseat the J.O. National Championship in 2001.

PERSONAL: Undecided upon a major • was an honor rollmember in high school • a National Honor Society member •hobbies include playing paintball • son of Glenn and DebraBerry • has two sisters, Nicole and Jessica • born 10/6/87.

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Gopher Profiles


CAMPBELL’S CAREER HIGHS

Event . . . . . . . .Score .......Date

Floor exercise . . . .14.800..........1/12/08Still rings . . . . . . . .14.500..........4/4/08Vault . . . . . . . . . . . .14.150..........4/17/08Parallel bars . . . . . .14.300..........3/21/08

2008 • JUNIOR SEASON: Competed in all but one meet •scored a season-high mark of 14.800 on the floor exercise atthe Windy City Invitational (1/12) • saw action in eight meetson both the parrallel bars and still rings • had his best outingof the season at the Big Ten Team Championships, tallyingseason-high scores of 14.500 on still rings and 14.300 on par-rallel bars • scored a 13.950 on parallel bars vs. Calgary to fin-ish second and take his lone top-three finish of the season •saw limited action late in the season due to ankle injury •earned third varsity letter.

2007 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed on floor at ninemeets • earned floor scores of 9.0 or higher six times • scoredhis career-best of 9.450 on floor at the Big Ten Championship(3/30) • had the team’s highest floor score at the Pacific CoastClassic with a 9.350 (2/24) • performed on parallel bars fivetimes, earning a career-high 8.700 at two meets, vs. Michigan(2/17) and at the NCAA Championships (4/13) • competed onhigh bar twice, earning his best score of the season with an8.050 at the Big Ten meet (3/30) • an Academic All-Big Tenhonoree • earned his second varsity letter.

2006 • FRESHMAN SEASON: A regular competitor on fiveevents: the floor exercise, still rings, vault, parallel bars, andhigh bar • competed on the floor on every meet of the year,earning his best score, a 9.100, at the Big Ten Championship(3/25) • his floor score of 9.100 was the best by a Gophergymnast in the event in 2006 • was in the rings line up in all10 meets, earning his best score, 8.300, against Wisconsin(3/4) • competed on the vault in the first eight meets of theseason, earning a season-best 8.650 at Michigan (2/11) • per-formed on the parallel bars in every meet • earned his bestparallel bars score against Wisconsin with an 8.400 (3/4) •competed on the high bar in all but the first meet of the sea-son, earning his personal best score of 8.400 againstWisconsin (3/4) • led the team in average score on the floorwith a season average of 8.705 • letterwinner.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2005 graduate of Skyline High School •member of USA Gymnastics World in Bountiful, Utah •coached by Alexander Shchennikov • was the Region 9(Region 9 spans Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, & Wyoming)Regional Champion in 2003 and 2004 and was also a USAGymnastics Academic All-American • earned PresidentialSports Award.

PERSONAL: Majoring in Russian • son of Edward and MelodyCampbell • born 3/19/87.

SeniorSalt Lake City, Utah

Skyline H.S.USA Gymnastics World

Eddie

Campbell

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2008 graduate of St. Ignatius High School •trained at Gymnastics World • finished 13th at the 2007 VISAChampionships, earning four top-10 finishes in individualevents, including a sixth-place finish on vault • finished 15th inthe all-around at the 2006 VISA Championships.

PERSONAL: Undecided on a major • son of Russell and AnneCameratta • born 7/7/89.

FreshmanIndependence, Ohio

St. Ignatius H.S.Gymnastics World

Ross

Cameratta

FORTUNATO’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . Date

Floor exercise . . . . . . . 15.150. . . 2/2/08Pommel horse . . . . . . . 14.250. . . 1/26/08Still rings . . . . . . . . . . . 14.400. . . 4/17/08Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.750. . . 4/4/08Parallel bars . . . . . . . . . 14.950. . . 3/21/08High bar . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.250. . . 1/19/08All-around. . . . . . . . . . . 86.850. . . 3/21/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: The Golden Gophers’ work-horse during the 2008 season competed in the all-around inall 11 meets • posted Minnesota’s top all-around score in eachmeet • season-high all-around mark was 86.850 vs.Illinois/Iowa (3/21) • won the all-around vs. Illinois-Chicago(2/16) and Nebraska/Temple (3/1) • posted five top-two all-around finishes • finished seventh in the all-around at the BigTen Championships • turned in two top-three finishes on highbar, with one each on floor, pommel horse, still rings and par-allel bars • tallied a score of 15.150 on floor exercise at PennState (2/2) • scored 15.000 or better in eight meets on vault,with a season-best score of 15.750 at the Big Ten TeamChampionship (4/4) • notched season-high 14.400 score onrings at NCAA Team Qualifier • named a first-team CGA All-America Scholar Athlete • Academic All-Big Ten selection •earned second varsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Performed in 12 competitionsduring the season • was a regular in the line up on rings, par-allel bars and high bar • earned his best rings score atNebraska wth an 8.850 (3/10) • scored a 9.000 on parallelbars against Wisconsin to mark his best score of the season(3/3) • tallied a season-high 9.300 on high bar at Illinois-Chicago (3/24) • was the team’s highest scorer on high bar attwo meets, vs. William & Mary (1/27) and at Iowa (2/3) • hadthe team’s highest parallel bars score with his 9.000 againstWisconsin (3/3) • earned the team’s Coaches’ AppreciationAward • a first-team CGA Academic All-American • earned hisfirst varsity letter.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Was home schooled • member ofGymnastics World • club coach was Chris Tollon • won theJunior Olympic state all around title in Ohio in 2005 and 2006• was the J.O. Region 5 all around champion in 2005 • quali-fied to compete at the J.O. national meet seven times • fin-ished fifth on the high bar at J.O. nationals in 2006 • qualifiedto compete at the U.S. National Championships in 2004 and2005 • finished 14th in the all around at the 2004 U.S.Championship, and came in eighth at the 2005 national meet• was the runner up on the high bar at the 2005 U.S.Championship.

PERSONAL: A civil engineering major • member of the presti-gious Engineering Honors Society • a four-time Academic All-America honoree • a Gold National Scholarship recipient • afour-time National Fine Arts qualifier • a Junior LeadershipTraining Academy graduate • hobbies are swimming andreenacting Revolutionary War battles • competed in a summerrecreational swimming league, where he placed first in thebackstroke at the championship • son of Patrick and MarciaFortunato • the oldest of four boys in his family, with youngerbrothers Evan, Nathan and Zachary • born 9/18/87.

JuniorBedford, OhioHome School

Gymnastics World

Aaron

Fortunato

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2008 graduate of Triton RegionalHigh School • was an honor roll student in high school •trained with the Yellow Jackets Gymnastics Club • finishedfourth in the all-around at the 2008 VISA Championships,earning a spot on the United States Junior National Team •recorded four top-five finishes at 2008 VISA Championships,including a third-place finish on the high bar • was seventh inthe all-around at the 2007 VISA Championships, with third-place finishes on pommel horse, still rings and high bar.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in kinesiology • son of Karl andKaren Dabritz, who are both gymnastics coaches • has oneolder and one younger sister - Elise (20) and Georgia (15) •born 2/16/90.

FreshmanRowley, Mass.

Triton Regional H.S.Yellow Jackets Gymnastics

Russell

Dabritz

Hard-working walk-on has yet to see the competition floor.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Maple Lake HighSchool • trained at North Shore Gymnastics • a track & fieldletterwinner.

PERSONAL: Majoring in kinesiology • a National HonorSociety member • son of Thomas and DoLane Etem • has twosiblings, Crystal and Jeremy • Born 6/30/88.

JuniorMaple Lake, Minn.

Maple Lake H.S.North Shore Gymnastics

Chase

Etem

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Gopher Profiles


Talented Minnesotan did not compete in 2008.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2007 graduate of Henry Sibley HighSchool in Mendota Heights, Minn. • trained at Turner’sGymnastics from 1995-2003, and trained at Great NorthernGymnastics from 2003-2007 • a three-time gymnastics letter-winner at Henry Sibley • won the regional and state titles infloor exercise in 2005 • was a regional team member in 2005• won state and region titles in 2007.

PERSONAL: An electrical engineering major • earned twohigh school letters as a member of the math team • enjoysSCUBA diving • son of Peg and Keith Heaver • has one sister,Tiffany • born 10/16/88.

SophomoreMendota Heights, Minn.

Henry Sibley H.S.Great Northern Gymnastics

Travis

Heaver

HILLIN’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . Date

Floor exercise . . . . . . . 14.400. . . 4/17/08Pommel horse . . . . . . . 14.050. . . 1/19/08Still rings . . . . . . . . . . . 14.250. . . 3/21/08Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.950. . . 2/16/08Parallel bars . . . . . . . . . 14.450. . . 3/15/08Horizontal bar. . . . . . . . 14.150. . . 3/21/08All-around. . . . . . . . . . . 83.800. . . 3/15/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed in all 10 collegiatemeets during the season • was an all-around performer vs.Illinois-Chicago (2/16), at Oklahoma (3/15) and at the Big TenTeam Championships (4/4) • scored a season-high 83.800 all-around points vs. the Sooners • turned in his season-bestscore on the floor at the NCAA Team Qualifier (4/17) • madenine appearances on both pommel horse and parallel bars •top individual performance came on the vault, a 14.950 score,vs. Illinois-Chicago • lone top-three finish was on pommelhorse vs. UIC, a 14.000 score • earned first varsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Competed in one meet • wasin the line up in four events against William & Mary • earnedscores of 8.350 on floor, 8.050 on vault, 8.200 on parallelbars, and 6.600 on high bar.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of William HowardTaft High School • trained at Alamo Gymnastics • club coachwas Yuejin Sun • qualified for Junior Olympic NationalChampionships in 2005 and 2006 • finished seventh in the allaround at the J.O. Region 3 Championship in 2006 • finishedthird in the all around at the 2006 Texas State Championship• was sixth in the all around at the 2005 J.O. Region 3Championship and was seventh in the all around at the statechampionship in 2005 • was a Class II National Qualifier in2003 and a Class III National Qualifier in 2000, 2001, and2002 • had a ninth-place showing at the J.O. Regional

JuniorSan Antonio, Texas

William Howard Taft H.S.Alamo Gymnastics

Michael

Hillin

Hard-working Minnesota native has yet to see the competitionfloor.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Southwest HighSchool in Minneapolis • trained at Thompson’s Academy ofGymnastics • club coaches were Scott Gay and Troy Brandt •was a parallel bars semifinalist at the J.O. Nationals in 2003 •won the state title in the all around in 2004.

PERSONAL: A civil engineering major • hobbies include play-ing computer games • son of Annajean and Joseph Lee • hasone sister, Rachel • born 5/18/88.

JuniorMinneapolis, Minn.

Southwest H.S.TAGS

Cameron

Lee

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2008 graduate of Irondale HighSchool • lettered in diving and baseball during high school •trained at Midwest Gymnastics • 2008 club coaches wereJake Lee, Matt Altomari and Chris Harrington • placed 4th in2008 Junior Olympic Nationals as a member of the Region 4team.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in electrical engineering • enjoyswakeboarding • son of Tim and Randi LaFleur • dad, Tim, wasan All-American, Big Ten Champion and Nissen-Emery Awardwinner as a Gopher gymnast in the 1970’s • has three siblings- Sean (9), Jackie (21), Alex (23) • born 4/30/90.

FreshmanNew Brighton, Minn.

Irondale H.S.Midwest Gymnastics

Adam

LaFleur

MCGUIRE’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . Date

Floor exercise . . . . . . . 14.950. . . 3/21/08Pommel horse . . . . . . . 12.450. . . 1/12/08Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.750. . . 3/21/08Parallel bars . . . . . . . . . 13.950. . . 1/12/08High bar . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.600. . . 1/26/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed in 11 meets dur-ing the season, and was a regular competitor on floor, vaultand high bar • turned in seven top-three finishes, includingthree each on floor and high bar • earned his best floor(14.950) and vault (15.750) scores vs. Illinois/Iowa (3/21) •turned in first-place finishes on floor and high bar, along with

JuniorPlano, Texas

Spring Creek AcademyWorld Olympic Gymnastics

Colin

McGuire

Michael Hillin

Colin McGuire

Championship in 2003 • was sixth on the high bar and 17th inthe all around at the Class II nationals in 2002 • placed sev-enth in the all around at the 2002 regional meet • was 17th inthe all around at the Class III national meet in 2001 • came ineighth in the all around at the regional meet in 2001 • finishedfourth in the all around at regionals in 2000.

PERSONAL: Majoring in communication studies • a NationalHonor Society member • participated in the Spanish Club,German Club, Student Council, and was a choir officer in highschool • interests include God, pool, poker, bowling, cars andthe beach • son of Perry and Theresa Hillin • has threeyounger siblings, Chris, Brandon, and Hunter • born 9/16/87.

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Gopher Profiles


a second-place on vault vs. Illinois-Chicago (2/16) • compet-ed on pommel horse twice • was in the parallel bars lineuponce • tallied seven vault scores of 15.500 or better • grabbeda berth in the Big Ten individual event finals with a 14.200 onhigh bar during the team championships • named a second-team CGA All-America Scholar Athlete • named Academic All-Big Ten • awarded his second varsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Competed in 11 meets duringthe season, and was a regular competitor on floor and vault •earned his best floor score with a 9.250 at the Big TenChampionship (3/30) • tallied his best vault score with a 9.000at the NCAA Championship team finals (4/13) • competed onthe high bar at five meets, earning his top score of 8.500against Wisconsin (3/3) • was in the line up on pommel horseonce, earning a 6.300 against William & Mary (1/27) • wasgiven the team’s Lead Off Award for setting the pace for theGophers on floor exercise at the Big Ten Championships •earned his first varsity letter.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Spring CreekAcademy • trained at World Olympic Gymnastics • club coachwas Pavel Sadovsky • qualified for Junior Olympic NationalChampionships five times • placed fourth at the 2005 TexasState Championships • finished fourth in the all around at theTexas State Championships in 2004 • finished seventh at theJ.O. Region 3 Championship in 2004 • was the all aroundchampion at the 2004 Valerie Lukin Invitational.

PERSONAL: A kinesiology major • a former National HonorSociety President • hobbies are playing soccer and beach vol-leyball and watching movies • son of Brian McGuire and10/11/87.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2008 graduate of Clarence HighSchool • helped lead Clarence High to back-to-back stateboys’ gymnastics championships • two-time letterwinner.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in English • was an honor rollstudent • lists his high school team’s back-to-back statetitles as his most memorable sports thrill • son of Stevenand Annemarie Morse • has two younger brothers, Matt(16) and Ben (12) • Born 9/6/90.

FreshmanEast Amherst, N.Y.

Clarence H.S.

Michael

Morse

O’BRIEN’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . Date

Pommel horse . . . . . . . 13.900. . . 4/17/08Still rings . . . . . . . . . . . 14.050. . . 1/19/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Saw action in four meetsthroughout season • competed three times on pommel horseand twice on still rings • top pommel score was 13.900 at theNCAA Team Qualifier (4/17) • recorded his best rings score of14.050 at Illinois (1/19) • earned first-team CGA All-AmericaScholar-Athlete distinction • Academic All-Big Ten honoree •tallied his second varsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Competed at every meet ofthe season • a regular in the line up on pommel horse, rings,and parallel bars • earned his best horse score with an 8.650at the Pacific Coast Classic (2/24) • tallied his best rings scoreof 8.950 twice during the season, first at Illinois-Chicago(3/24), and again at the NCAA Championship team finals(4/13) • earned an 8.700 on parallel bars against Wisconsin tomark his career-high score (3/3) • tied with teammate KitBeikmann for the team’s highest pommel horse score at thePacific Coast Classic (8.650) • a varsity letterwinner • a first-team CGA Academic All-American.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Westfield HighSchool • member of Surgent's Elite Gymnastics • club coach-es were Rich Pulsfort and Matt Stevenson • placed second inthe all around at the New Jersey State Championships in2005 and 2006, and was the all around state champion inNew Jersey • won the all around title at the J.O. RegionalChampionship in 2004 • finished seventh in the all around atthe Junior Olympic Regional Championship in 2006 • qualifiedto compete at the Junior Olympic National Championship sixtimes • placed 12th in the all around at J.O. Nationals in 2004,and finished 24th in the all around at the J.O. national meet in2006 • claimed ninth place on the pommel horse and 11th onthe parallel bars at Junior Olympic nationals in 2006 • quali-fied for the U.S. National Championships in 2004, where hecame in 12th in the 14-15 age group.

PERSONAL: A biology major • was on the honor roll all fouryears in high school • earned Academic All-America status in2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 • hobbies are hiking, skiing,camping and weather • son of Donna Quinn and DanielO’Brien • has one younger brother, Gregory • born 12/8/87.

JuniorWestfield, N.J.Westfield H.S.

Surgent’s Elite Gymnastics

Thomas

O’Brien

Minnesotan did not see action in his first season withGophers.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2007 graduate of Maple Grove HighSchool • trained at Twin City Twisters with coaches DrewShields and Tony Wokniak.

PERSONAL: Majoring in risk management and insurance • afour-time Academic All-American in high school • lists makingthe region team as his most memorable sports thrill • son ofKatie and Greg Paulus • has two younger brothers, John andThomas • Born 5/2/89.

SophomoreMaple Grove, Minn.Maple Groove H.S.Twin City Twisters

Michael

Paulus

QUAST’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . . . Date

Still rings . . . . . . . . . . . 14.300 . . . . 2/2/08

2008 • JUNIOR SEASON: Still rings specialist competed infour meets • scored a season-high 14.300 points at PennState (2/2) • also topped 14.000 points at Oklahoma with a14.200 (3/15).

2007 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed on rings at twomeets • earned a career-best 8.500 against Wisconsin (3/3).

2006 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Still rings specialist • compet-ed on the rings in three competitions, earning his best scoreof 7.850 in his college debut (Wisconsin, 3/4) • tallied a 7.100against Iowa • earned a mark of 6.550 at the Big TenChampionship • earned his first letter.

HIGH SCHOOL: Honor graduate of White Bear Lake HighSchool • trained at Midwest Gymnastics, where he wascoached by Kyle Zak • four-time first-team Academic All-American by USA Gymnastics.

PERSONAL: Majoring in electrical engineering • son of Kevinand Pam Quast • born 4/25/87.

SeniorVadnais Heights, Minn.

White Bear Lake H.S.Midwest Gymnastics

Alex

Quast

Alex Quast

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Gopher Profiles


REICHOW’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . . . Date

Floor exercise . . . . . . . 15.050 . . . . 3/21/08Vault. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.850 . . . . 3/21/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed in all 10 collegiatemeets • was in lineup on vault for every meet • scored 15.000or better in eight of 10 meets on vault • had a streak of threestraight 15.800-or-better scores going into NCAAChampionships • injured on vault during NCAA Team Qualifier• turned in three top-three finishes on floor • tallied his topvault score (15.850) in the regular-season finale vs.Illinois/Iowa (3/21) • also had his best floor exercise score inthe Illinois/Iowa meet • named second-team CGA AcademicAll-America • Academic All-Big Ten selection • earned secondvarsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: An NCAA All-American in twoevents • was the national runner-up on floor with a score of9.550 at the NCAA Championship event finals • finished sixthon vault at the NCAA meet with a mark of 8.975 • earned hisbest floor score of 9.700 at the NCAA Championship teamfinals to advance to the event finals • also earned his bestvault score at the NCAA team finals, earning a 9.150 to qual-ify for the event finals • competed on floor and vault in all butone meet during the season • was Minnesota’s highest scor-er on floor at three meets • earned his first varsity letter • afirst-team CGA Academic All-American • honored with theteam’s Outstanding Championship Competitor Award.

2006: Redshirt season • competed in three events in theseason opener, earning an 8.700 on the floor, an 8.600 onvault, and an 8.250 on the high bar at the Windy CityInvitational • suffered a broken leg in the second meet of theseason, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduate of Eden Prairie High School •trained locally at TAGS (Thompson's Academy ofGymnastics) in Eden Prairie • was coached by Scott Gay andTroy Brandt • a USA Gymnastics Academic All-American • anelite caliber athlete on floor exercise and vaulting and was theNational Floor Exercise Champion at the 2005 Junior NationalChampionships.

PERSONAL: Double majoring in Operations Management andMarketing with a minor in leadership • son of Steve and JoyceReichow • born 10/6/86.

JuniorEden Prairie, Minn.

Eden Prairie H.S.TAGS Eden Prairie

Adam

Reichow

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2008 graduate of Manzano HighSchool • trained at Gold Cup Gymnastics • club coaches wereBrandy Wood and Jerry Nickels • won gold on the still rings at2008 VISA Championships • finished ninth in all-around at2008 VISA Championships • also turned in top-10 finishes onfloor and high bar at ’08 VISA Championships • finished fourthin the all-around at the 2007 VISA Championships • took arunner-up finish on still rings and was top 10 in all six eventsat 2007 VISA Championships • also qualified for the 2006VISA Championships, where he was 15th in the all-around •took ninth in the all-around and fourth on vault at the 2006Junior Olympic National Championships • five-time Region IXteam member • seven-time New Mexico all-around statechampion.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in kinesiology • was a four-yearNational Honor Society member in high school • father com-peted for University of New Mexico in men’s gymnastics •enjoys playing the drums • son of David and Deborah Repp •has a sister, Stephanie (14) and a brother, Michael (13) • born3/9/90.

FreshmanAlbuquerque, N.M.

Manzano H.S.Gold Cup Gymnastics

DJ

Repp

STORER’S CAREER HIGHS

Event. . . . . . . . . . . Score . . Date

Floor exercise . . . . . . . 15.300. . . 3/1/08Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.950. . . 3/21/08Horizontal bar. . . . . . . . 15.000. . . 1/26/08

2008 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Earned All-America statuson high bar • finished as the runner-up on high bar at NCAAIndividual Event Championships to garner his second All-America award • became 11th Gopher ever to earn multipleAll-America honors • also finished 10th on vault at 2008 NCAAChampionship • turned in 12 top-three finishes during regularseason, five on high bar, four on floor and three on vault •scored 15.000 or better six times in nine competitions on floorexercise • scored 15.600 or better in six of seven vault com-petitions • notched five of Minnesota’s top seven floor scores• turned in the team’s top four high bar scores • turned in aseason-best 15.300 on floor to win the event vs.Nebraska/Temple (3/1) • 15.950 score on vault vs.Illinois/Iowa (3/21) was best effort of season on apparatus •finished third on high bar at Big Ten Individual Championships• earned second varsity letter.

2007 • FRESHMAN SEASON: An All-American • competedon floor 13 times during the season, earning his best score of9.650 twice at the NCAA Championships, once at the teamqualifier (4/12) and once at the team finals (4/13) • qualified tocompete in the NCAA individual event finals, where he earneda 9.450 on floor to place fifth and earn All-America status •

JuniorPlano, Texas

Spring Creek AcademyWorld Olympic Gymnastics

Cole

Storer

performed on vault 12 times during the year, tallying his bestscore against Wisconsin with a 9.300 (3/3) • was a regular inthe line up on high bar, earning his best score at the Big TenChampionships with a 9.100 (3/30) • was the team’s top scor-er on floor at five meets during the season, and led theGophers on vault five times • earned Minnesota’s highest hor-izontal bar score at the meet against Michigan with an 8.900(2/17) • earned his first varsity letter • shared the team’sOutstanding Freshman Award with Andre Berry.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A 2006 graduate of Spring CreekAcademy • trained at World Olympic Gymnastics • club coachwas Sergei Pakanich • represented the U.S. in a dual meetbetween the U.S. and Germany in 2005, where he finishedfirst on the floor and high bar, and helped his team to win themeet • qualified for the Visa Championships in 2005 • qualifiedto compete at the 2004 Junior Pan American Games in SanSalvador, ESA, where the U.S. team placed first • competedat the U.S. Championships in 2005 where he tied for fourth inthe all around, won the floor exercise and vault, and wasfourth on the pommel horse • won the vault and high bar at the2004 U.S. Championship, and came in second on the pommelhorse and in the all around • won the vault and the high bartitles, and finished second on the pommel horse and in the allaround at the 2004 Junior Olympic National Championship •competed for the winning U.S. team at the 2003 JuniorInternational Meet in Toronto, Canada, which featured teamsfrom Canada, Germany and the U.S. • placed second in theall around and the high bar, and came in third on the floor atthe 2003 U.S. Championships • at the J.O. national meet in2003, he was the third on the high bar and came in seventh inthe all around • finished first on the vault at the 2001 J.O.National Championship.

PERSONAL: Double majoring in American studies and polici-tal science • a National Honor Society member • was the VicePresident of his high school Student Council • hobbies aresleeping and playing soccer • son of Phil and Joyce Storer •has a brother, Ryan (21) and a sister, Devin (13) • born 5/4/88.

Cole Storer

Adam Reichow

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