Avener is a two-time Olympian, competing in the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich and in 1976 in Montreal, where the U.S. men finished seventh. He also was a member of the men’s team at the 1970 World Championships. Avener won the U.S. all-around title in 1973, where he also placed first on pommel horse and parallel bars, with a second place on still rings. He was the 1975 Pan American Games bronze medalist on vault.
Avener also had a successful collegiate career at Pennsylvania State University. After finishing third at the 1972 NCAA Championships, he was the 1973 NCAA all-around champion and helped his team to a second-place finish. Avener was also a finalist for the Nissen Award. Following his collegiate career, he became the Penn State women’s gymnastics coach. Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Avener currently resides in Boca Raton, Fla.
