INDIANAPOLIS – Raj Bhavsar (Houston, Texas) and Paul Hamm (Waukesha, Wis.) established themselves as the top male gymnasts in their respective age groups in men’s junior division all-around competition at the 1998 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships, which opened at Market Square Arena here Wednesday afternoon.
Bhavsar, the national champion in the 14-15 year-old group last year, took the next step in his progression by winning the 16-18 age group with a score of 50.775. Along the way, he claimed the individual title in still rings and took a silver on pommel horse.
"I am where I should be right now," said Bhavsar. "I wanted to repeat how I performed last year. My ultimate goal is to compete in 2000. I have to take these steps to get in that direction."
With a score of 50.675, Paul Hamm was at the top of the 14-15 age group. He tied for the individual title in still rings and picked up three silver medals to log the biggest medal haul of the afternoon. His twin brother, Morgan, earned three medals, including the individual pommel horse title, but placed fourth in the all-around at 49.800.
"I expected it to be like this," said Paul. "I came to win. I’ve competed in international competitions and I really concentrate on hitting all of my routines."
The 1998 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships continues through Saturday evening at Market Square Arena. For complete results and virtual rotation-by-rotation scoring updates, log on to USA Gymnastics Online at http://www.usa-gymnastics.org.

1998 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships
August 19, 1998, Market Square Arena

Junior Division (ages 16-18)
1, Raj Bhavsar, Houston, Texas, 50.775. 2, Kris Zimmerman, Hubbard Woods, Ill., 50.550. 3, Adam Berkenbile, Albuquerque, N.M., 50.000. 4, Michael Evans, Houston, Texas, 49.700. 5, Michael Ashe, Stone Mountain, Ga., 49.675. 6, Daniel Furney, New Braunfels, Texas, 49.400. 7, Josh Landis, Norman, Okla., 49.275. 8, Shannon Carrion, Tallahassee, Fla., 49.225. 9, Daniel Diaz-Luong, Harrisburg, Pa., 48.700. 10, Brandon Berkenbile, Albuquerque, N.M., 48.650. 11, Kevin Tan, Fremont, Calif., 47.275. 12, Matt Abboud, Dayton, Maine, 46.925. 13, Stephen Smith, Cupertino, Calif., 46.900. 14, Alex Weber, Kutztown, Pa., 46.600. 15, David Durante, Garwood, N.J., 46.400. 16, Cody Moore, Scottsdale, Ariz., 46.300. 17, Aaron Floyd, Mount Airy, Md., 45.950. 18, Dick Huntwork, Pickerington, Ohio, 45.600.


Individual Event Champions for the 16-18 age group

Floor Exercise: 1, Brandon Berkenbile, 8.900. 2, Adam Berkenbile, 8.850. 3, Daniel Furney, 8.650. Pommel Horse: 1, Michael Ashe, 9.275. 2, Raj Bhavsar, 9.125. 3, Josh Landis, 9.025. Still Rings: 1, Raj Bhavsar, 8.500. 2 (tie), Kris Zimmerman and Shannon Carrion, 8.400. Vault: 1 (tie), Daniel Furney and Michael Evans, 9.000. 3, Kris Zimmerman, 8.950. Parallel Bars: 1 (tie), Kris Zimmerman and Raj Bhavsar, 8.300. 3, Michael Ashe, 8.250. High Bar: 1 (tie), Shannon Carrion, Matt Abboud and Michael Evans, 8.500.

Junior Division (ages 14-15)

1, Paul Hamm, Waukesha, Wis., 50.675. 2, Zach Roberts, Encinitas, Calif., 50.200. 3, Todd Thornton, Houston, Texas, 49.950. 4, Morgan Hamm, Waukesha, Wis., 49.800. 5, Jock Stevens, Moore, Okla., 47.950. 6, Randy Monahan, Elizabethtown, Pa., 47.750. 7, Jamey Houle, Longmeadow, Mass., 47.400. 8, Corey Burch, Union City, Mich., 47.000. 9, Patrick McFarlin, Longmeadow, Mass., 46.825. 10, Richard Maguire, New Rochelle, N.Y., 46.450. 11, Joseph Hagerty, Rio Rancho, N.M., 44.200. 12, Sterling Richards, Woods Cross, Utah, 43.800.

Individual Event Champions for the 14-15 age group

Floor Exercise: 1, Jock Stevens, 9.200. 2 (tie), Morgan Hamm and Paul Hamm, 8.900. Pommel Horse: 1, Morgan Hamm, 8.550. 2, Kevin Tan, 8.525. 3, Zach Roberts, 8.300. Still Rings: 1 (tie), Paul Hamm and Todd Thornton, 7.950. 3, Morgan Hamm, 7.750. Vault: 1, Zach Roberts, 9.200. 2, Sterling Richards, 9.000. 3, Jock Stevens, 8.900. Parallel Bars: 1, Zach Roberts, 8.450. 2, Paul Hamm, 8.300. 3, Kevin Tan, 8.250. High Bar: 1, Todd Thornton, 8.600. 2, Paul Hamm, 8.500. 3, Randy Monahan, 8.400.