INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 20, 2011 – Defending U.S. all-around champion Jonathan Horton of Houston, who is also a 2008 Olympic silver medalist and the 2010 World all-around bronze medalist, headlines the men’s field for the 2011 Visa Championships, Aug. 17-20, in Saint Paul, Minn. The 91-man field features a combination of veteran and rising stars in the junior and senior divisions. Performances at the Visa Championships will determine both the members of the 2011 U.S. Men’s Junior and Senior National Teams and the 2011 U.S. Men’s World Championships and Pan American Games Teams.
All six members of the men’s 2010 U.S. World Championships Team are on the roster: Chris Brooks of Houston; Chris Cameron of Winter Haven, Fla.; Steven Legendre of Flower Mound, Texas; Danell Leyva of Miami; Brandon Wynn of Voorhees, N.J.; and Horton. All six are members of Team Hilton HHonors. Paul Ruggeri of Manlius, N.Y./University of Illinois, who was the World Championships Team alternate, is also expected to compete.
The 2010 senior U.S. individual event champions in the field are: Daniel Ribeiro of Chestnut Ridge, N.Y./University of Illinois, pommel horse; Wynn, still rings; Legendre, vault; Leyva, parallel bars; and Brooks, horizontal bar.
Last year’s junior champions who are expected to compete are: Trevor Howard of Columbus, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics Center, still rings (tie), 16-18; Sean Melton of Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro, all-around, floor exercise and pommel horse, 14-15; Adrian de los Angeles of Long Beach, Calif./SCATS HB, still rings, 14-15; Stacey Ervin of Taylor, Mich./Mills Gymnastics USA, vault, 14-15; Maximillian Mayr of Miami/Universal Gymnastics Inc., parallel bars; and Kevin Ko of El Centro, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics, and Jake Martin of Oviedo, Fla./Orlando Metro, horizontal bar (tie), 14-15.
The field breaks down into 48 seniors and 43 juniors, 21 in the 14-15 category and 22 in 16-18.Twenty-six states are represented in the men’s competition. The complete field is listed below. The men compete on Aug. 17 and Aug. 19. For complete event information, please go to www.usagym.org/visa.
The senior men qualified for the Visa Championships via several different avenues: a member of the current senior national team; finished in the top six from the USA in the all-around at the 2011 NCAA Championships; the top 24 athletes from the U.S. Men’s Qualifier based on the approved points system; and the top three athletes on each event at the U.S. Men’s Qualifier. Some athletes successfully petitioned the Men’s Program Committee for inclusion. The qualification options for the juniors were based on performances at the 2011 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships and the 2011 U.S. Men’s Qualifier.
The 2011 Visa Championships, USA Gymnastics’ national championships, features the country’s best gymnasts vying for national titles and spots on the U.S. National Team in men’s, women’s and rhythmic gymnastics. NBC Sports and Universal Sports will broadcast and webcast the action live from the men’s and women’s gymnastics competitions.
Men’s and women’s gymnastics will be held at Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 17-20, and rhythmic gymnastics will be at Roy Wilkins Auditorium Aug. 19-20. Tickets for the four-day event are on sale now, with individual session tickets, as well as multi- and all-session ticket packages. Tickets may be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 800-745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. In recognition of Visa’s long-time support, USA Gymnastics is proud to accept only Visa at the 2011 Visa Championships, along with cash. For ticket and event information, go to www.usagym.org/visa.
The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, is the annual gathering of professional members that offers educational and business sessions, a large exhibitor’s hall and other business and educational opportunities.
Men’s field for the 2011 Visa Championships
Listed by alphabetically by state, with competition division indicated
As of July 18; subject to change
Arkansas
Lee Grogan, Paragould, Ark./Champions Gymnastics Center, junior (14-15)
Arizona
Allan Bower, Chandler, Ariz./Xtreme Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Alex Magsam, Scottdale, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Alexander Naddour, Gilbert, Ariz./University of Oklahoma, senior
California
Donothan Bailey, Lake Forest, Calif./University of California – Berkeley, senior
Andrew Botto, Redwood City, Calif./Stanford Boys Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Kyle Bunthuwong, El Cerrito, Calif./University of California – Berkeley, senior
Adrian de los Angeles, Long Beach, Calif./SCATS Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Bryan del Castillo, Laguna Nigel, Calif./University of California- Berkeley, senior
Jesse Glenn, Northridge, Calif./SCATS Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Travis Gollott, Livermore, Calif./WCOGA, junior (14-15)
Glen Ishino, Santa Ana, Calif./University of California – Berkeley, senior
Kevin Ko, Torrence, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Sam Mikulak, Corona del Mar, Calif./University Of Michigan, senior
Sho Nakamori, Albany, Calif./Champions Academy, senior
Kanji Oyama, Huntington Beach, Calif./SCATS Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Alec Robin, Calabasas, Calif./Victory Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Timothy Wang, Corona, Calif./South Coast Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Kevin Wolting, Laguna Hills, Calif./Azarian US Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Colorado
Yul Moldauer, Wellington, Colo./5280 Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Connecticut
Daniel DiBenedetto, Vernon, Conn./Tim Daggett Gold Medal Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Florida
Alexander Barrera, Miami, Fla./Universal Gymnastics Inc., senior
Chris Cameron, Winter Haven, Fla./U.S.O.T.C. Gymnastics, senior
Danell Leyva, Miami, Fla./Team Hilton HHonors – Universal Gymnastics, senior
Jake Martin, Oviedo, Fla./Orlando Metro Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Max Mayr, Miami, Fla./Universal Gymnastics Inc., junior (16-18)
Sean Melton, Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Edward Mesa, Cooper City, Fla./Universal Gymnastics Inc., senior
Hawaii
Joshua Yee, Mililani, Hawaii/Hawaiian Island Twisters, junior (16-18)
Illinois
Bobby Baker, Lemont, Ill./Aerial Gymnastics Club, junior (14-15)
Danny Berardini, Lake Forest, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymn Center, junior (16-18)
Alex Buscaglia, Cary, Ill./Stanford Men’s Gymnastics, senior
Ryan Lieberman, Lake Forest, Ill./Stanford Men’s Gymnastics, senior
Sean Regan, Libertyville, Ill./The Ohio State University, senior
Anthony Sacramento, Libertyville, Ill./University Of Illinois, senior
Luke Stannard, Urbana, Ill./U.S.O.T.C. Gymnastics, senior
Michael Strathern, Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett Gymnastics Center, junior (16-18)
Jeff Treleaven, Glen Ellyn, Ill./The Ohio State University, senior
Michael Wilner, Buffalo Grove, Ill./Gymnastics Spot, senior
Indiana
Ellis Mannon, Indianapolis, Ind./Indy School of Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Christopher Stephenson, Fishers, Ind./DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Kentucky
Kevin Baker, Union, Ky./Queen City Gymnastics/ Kids First, junior (16-18)
Jesse Himmelsbach, Butler, Ky./Queen City Gymnastics/ Kids First, junior (14-15)
Parker Raque, Louisville, Ky./Penn State University Gymn., senior
Maryland
Donnell Whittenburg, Baltimore, Md./Ultimate Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Massachusetts
Jonathan Deaton, Longmeadow, Mass./Tim Daggett Gold Medal Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Michigan
Stacey Ervin, Taylor, Mich./Mills USA, junior (16-18)
Mel Anton Santander, Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan, senior
Edward Umphrey, Ann Abbor, Mich./University of Michigan, senior
New Jersey
Andrew Elkind, Cherry Hill, N.J./Team Hilton HHonors – USOTC, senior
David Frankl, Franklin Lakes, N.J./US Gymnastics Develop Center II, junior (16-18)
Akash Modi, Morganville, N.J./Monmouth Gymnastics Academy, junior (14-15)
Austin Phillips, Mahwah, N.J./University Of Illinois, senior
Brandon Wynn, Vorhees, N.J./Ohio State University, senior
New Mexico
C.J. Maestas, Corrales, N.M./University of Illinois, senior
New York
Brian Knott, New York, N.Y./Chelsea Piers, junior (16-18)
Steven Legendre, Port Jefferson, N.Y./University of Oklahoma, senior
John Orozco, Bronx, N.Y./USOTC, senior
Daniel Ribeiro, Chestnut Ridge, N.Y./University of Illinois, senior
Paul Ruggeri, Manlius, N.Y./University of Illinois, senior
Jesse Silverstein, Suffern, N.Y./US Gymnastics Development Center II, senior
North Carolina
Chandler Eggleston, Jamestown, N.C./High Point Gymnastics Academy, junior (14-15)
Nevada
Jacob Dalton, Reno, Nev./University of Oklahoma, senior
Ohio
Ty Echard, Carroll, Ohio/The Ohio State University, senior
Ron Ferris, Austintown, Ohio/Ohio Gymnastics Institute Inc., senior
Trevor Howard, Columbus, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics Center, senior
Alex Johnson, Marysville, Ohio/OSU Boys Team, junior (16-18)
Seung Tai Lee, Columbus, Ohio/The Ohio State University, senior
Miguel Pineda, Galloway, Ohio/Penn State University Gymn., senior
Andrew Rickly, Lewis Center, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics Center, junior (14-15)
Pennsylvania
Adam Al-Rokh, Bensalem, Pa./Temple University Men and Boys, senior
Joey Peters, Orefield, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, senior
Texas
Dylan Akers, Kingwood, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, senior
Chris Brooks, Houston, Texas/Team Hilton HHonors , senior
Cameron Deer, Houston, Texas/Houston Gymnastics Associates.In, senior
Presten Ellsworth, Allen, Texas/University of Oklahoma Mens Program, senior
RJ Heflin, Houston, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, senior
Jonathan Horton, Houston, Texas/Team Hilton HHonors – Cypress Academy, senior
Spencer Johnson, Houston, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, senior
Hunter Justus, Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Tyler Mizoguchi, Houston, Texas/University of Illinois, senior
Christopher Stehl, Richmond, Texas/University of Oklahoma Mens Program, senior
Tennessee
Ryan Kerr, Knoxville, Tenn./Premier Athletics Knoxville North, junior (14-15)
Utah
Jacob Dastrup, Lindon, Utah/Arete Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
Virginia
Daniel Button, Woodbridge, Va./Capital Gymnastics, junior (14-15)
James Jindra, Fairfax, Va./Capital Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Timothy McNeill, Falls Church, Va./Golden Bear Gymnastics, senior
Kiwan Watts, Richmond, Va./River City, junior (14-15)
Washington
Konner Ackerman, Des Moines, Wash./Metropolitan Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Logan Melander, Tacoma, Wash./Black Hills Gymnastics, junior (16-18)
Wisconsin
Marvin Kimble, Milwaukee, Wis./Swiss Turners Gymnastics Academy, junior (14-15)