FightingIllini.com
The Official Home of University of Illinois Athletics
- Men's Sports
- MEN'S SPORTS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Football
- Golf
- WOMEN'S SPORTS
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
  |
|
Justin Spring will be vying for a spot on the US World Championship team.
|
Oct. 11, 2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Justin Spring (Burke, Va.) of The University of Illinois is on the roster of participants for the 2005 World Gymnastics Championships Men's Team Selection Competition on October 14 and 16 at 1 p.m. at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC). The field includes 19 of the country's best male gymnasts vying for the six-man team that will compete in the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, November 21-27.
"The committee selects the six best individuals based on their chances of medaling," Coach Yoshi Hayasaki said. "In that respect, I think Justin has a very good chance of making the team because he has proved that his high bar routine is the best in the nation if not the world. "
In addition to the high bar, Spring will be competing for a spot on floor exercise, vault and parallel bars.
Todd Thornton of Pearland, Texas has already made the team by winning the 2005 Visa U.S. National Championships all-around event title in August.
Spring automatically qualified for the selection competition after winning gold on the high bar at the 2005 Visa Championships. The format for this year's World Championships features all-around and individual event competition. Because of the emphasis on individual events, the Men's Selection Committee will use the results of the two-day meet to name the remaining five members of the men's team for the World Championships as well as designate which athletes will compete in which event. The 2005 U.S. Men's Team will be announced on Oct. 17.
Following the U.S. World Championship Team selection will be the current U.S. junior national team competition versus Team Germany. Illinois freshman Chris Lung (Lexington, Mass.) is a member of the U.S. junior team and will try to medal in Colorado Springs.
