HOUSTON – The 2005 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships concluded today by crowning 18 event champions in three age groups.
In the Level 10, 16-18 age division six different athletes claimed titles, including Adam Reichow‘s floor win (9.675), Chris Lung on pommels (9.6) and Seung Tai Lee on rings (9.9). The vault title went to Geoffrey Reins (9.375), while all-around bronze medalist Jake Bateman won parallel bars (9.85). Bryan Del Castillo, who placed second in the all-around, upgraded to first on high bar with his 9.825 set.
Local star Bryant Hadden (Cypress), who will attend Stanford on scholarship in the fall, went home with a pair of bronze medals on pommel horse (9.35) and rings (8.975)
Level 10, 14-15 all-around champ Philip Onorato (Plano, Texas) added two more wins in finals, topping the rings (9.8) and vault (9.5) standings. Onorato’s WOGA teammate, Tim Gentry, who was third in the all-around, finished first on high bar with a 9.25.

Kyle Bunthuwong
, younger brother of 16-18 age group champ Kyson, won a gold of his own on parallel bars (9.7). Chris Cameron claimed floor (9.7) and Michael Jiang was tops on pommel horse (9.9).
Houston added another medal with Jacob Houder‘s second-place high bar performance (9.25).
In the youngest age group, 12-13, Miami’s Danell Leyva, second in the all-around, was first on three of the six events: rings (9.0), p-bars (9.775) and high bar (9.85). Universal gymnastics teammate, and all-around champ, Edward Mesa, added a floor win (9.4) to his collection.

 

 

Preventing the Universal sweep was Illinois’ Mateusz Rybarski, who won pommel horse with a 9.725, and Texan Joshua Wilson, who claimed vault (9.075).

“If this week is any indication USA Gymnastics is in good hands with these young guys,” said Men’s Program Manager Bo Morris. “They’re excited and motivated to carry on the tradition of the 2004 Olympic team started. We hope these athletes will be able to continue that medal-winning tradition as they reach the senior level.”
“USA Gymnastics would like to thank Tim Erwin and his staff for doing such a great job hosting and directing the J.O. Nationals,” Morris added. “They had a huge task, running the largest J.O. Nationals ever, and from the opening ceremonies to the event finals it was a great week for men’s gymnastics in the United States. We look forward to the 2006 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships next year in Battle Creek, Mich.”

For more information visit www.jonationals.com/ or contact event media coordinator Susan Williams at [email protected] (media inquiries only).