COTTBUS, Germany, March 22, 2012 – After the first of two days of qualifications at the 2012 Cottbus World Cup in Cottbus, Germany, the United States’ John Orozco of the Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S. Olympic Training Center), and Jesse Silverstein of Spring Valley, N.Y./US Gymnastics Development Center II, have advanced to the still ring finals, both scoring 15.050. The duo finished in a tie for seventh.
Orozco and Silverstein also both competed on the pommel horse, again posting matching scores with 13.275 points. They missed the final, finishing in a tie for 26th place.
Teammate Paul Ruggeri of Manlius, N.Y./University of Illinois, also competed in Germany. Ruggeri performed on the floor, scoring 12.875 to place 33rd.
Team USA is back in action tomorrow in the final day of qualification with competition on the vault (Ruggeri), parallel bars (Orozco, Silverstein) and high bar (Orozco, Ruggeri). Finals competitions will be held Saturday, March 24 (floor, pommel horse, still rings) and Sunday, March 25 (vault, parallel bars, high bar).