March 8, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. ­ - Illinois men's gymnastics assistant coach Justin Spring was selected to the 2007 U.S. Men's Senior National Team, announced the USA Gymnastics committee following the conclusion of the 2007 Winter Cup Challenge. Spring, who ended his illustrious career at the University of Illinois a four-time NCAA Champion, 12-time All-American and the 2007 Nissen-Emery Award honoree, earned the third selection of his career to the prestigious national squad.

"Being named to the National Team is quite an honor," Spring said. "I was initially named to the World Championship team in August through a petition because I was unable to compete due to injuries. I trained for the meet, but ultimately had to withdraw from the World Team in order to get surgery on my shoulder and ankle. I was unable to compete in the latest National team qualifying meet in Las Vegas, but the men's program committee voted to keep me on the team despite my absence."

Despite missing most of the competition season due to injury, Spring has been slowly putting more time in the gym and is looking to get back to top form in time for the 2007 Visa Championships on August 15-18.

"The selection means a lot to me," Spring commented. "I have been training hard with multiple injuries, and it is nice to know that even if a National Team gymnast isn't at the top of their game at specific qualifying competitions, USA gymnastics understands that and will support and give the chances the athlete deserves."

Overall, Spring intends to use his time before the 2007 Visa Championships to continue training and sharpening his routines in preparation for world competition and the 2008 Olympics.

"I am almost fully back into training and plan on making the 2007 World Championship team in Germany," Spring said. "That will be the final and most important international competition before the Olympics in 2008. I just need to stay healthy."

Joining the native of Burke, Va./Team Gattaca on the National Team are: Guillermo Alvarez of Denver/Team Chevron; Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo./Team Chevron; Raj Bhavsar of Houston/Team Chevron; David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron; Sean Golden of Camden, N.J./HGA/GymMasters; Joseph Hagerty of Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron; Jamie Henderson of Crosby, Texas/University of Oklahoma; Jonathan Horton of Houston/University of Oklahoma; Tim McNeill of Falls Church, Va./University of California-Berkeley; David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill./Stanford University; Clay Strother of Jasper, Texas/Team Chevron; Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron; Yewki Tomita of Tuscon, Ariz./Team Chevron; and Sean Townsend of Dickinson, Texas/HGA/GymMasters.

These 15 gymnasts will comprise the Men's Senior National Team until the Visa Championships. For more information on this year's National Team and the Visa Championships, visit usa-gymnastics.org.