2008 National Champion David Sender of Stanford is going to Philadelphia!
Who else?
Ten of the team members advanced to Olympic Trials based on their two-day point totals. The men’s program committee named the four remaining gymnasts. Six of these athletes will win Olympic berths following the Trials, June 19-22 in Philadelphia.
Both Paul and Morgan Hamm of Waukesha, Wis., made the national team based on their point totals. Paul Hamm, who had to withdraw from Saturday’s competition after fracturing his hand during the opening night on the parallel bars, was still fifth overall with 46 points. Morgan Hamm was one point behind his brother.
Jonathan Horton (55 points)
Kevin Tan (54)
Joseph Hagerty (50)
David Durante (42)
Alexander Artemev (38)
Raj Bhavsar (36)
Sean Golden (36)
In the competition to determine who advanced to Trials, points were awarded on each event. Gymnasts earned 11 points for first place, 10 for second and so on down to 1 point for 10th place.
The only question at the arena following the meet last night was: “Which 4 additional athletes would be invited?”
Justin Spring
Tim McNeill
Yewki Tomita
Guillermo Alvarez
These guys can thank the selection committee. They live to fight another day. All are legitimate candidates for the final team.
I talked to Guillermo’s father and he was very positive and confident that his son would be going to Beijing. All 14 athletes believe.
What great gymnasts does this leave off the possible team?
Steve Legendre (awesome Floor and Vault)
Todd Thornton (tons of experience)
Sho Nakamori (great Pommels, elegant gymnastics)
Wesley Haggensen (strong All-around)
Kyson Bunthuwong (young with terrific potential)
Clay Strother
And many more …
Congratulations to those who got through. It was a terrific battle. (If any of the 14 are injured for trials in Philadelphia — Paul Hamm, for example — I’m not sure if an “alternate” can be added. Leave a comment if you know.)
Related:
Gymnastics Coaching.com 