Men's Gymnastics Looking To Upperclassmen For Leadership
1/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Jan. 4, 2002
The Air Force men's gymnastics team will be counting on strong leadership from an exceptional group of first classmen for the upcoming season.
"I think the four gymnasts will lead our team to a great season. They all have a very strong work ethic and an intense desire to be the senior leaders of an outstanding gymnastics team," said head coach Lou Burkel. Co-captains James Hayes and Matthew Kenkel have lots of support from Scott Lewis and Stephen Sistare as well as four other returning lettermen in their quest to qualify as a team to the NCAA championships in April.
James Hayes is an all-arounder from Springfield, Virginia and Capital Gymnastics. He is a 2000 USAG All America on parallel bars and a three-time Academic All-American. Hayes is majoring in electrical engineering.
Matthew Kenkel is an all-arounder from Council Bluffs, Iowa and Artistic Academy. He is a 2001 USAG All- American on rings and parallel bars. Injuries have held him back the past three seasons and he is looking for an injury free year in 2002.
Scott Lewis is an all-arounder from Dix Hills, New York and Eastern Gymnastics. He is a 2000 and 2001 Academic All-American and a computer engineering major. He won the 2000 Most Improved Gymnast Award.
Stephen Sistare is from Spartanburg, South Carolina and Greenville Gymnastics Center. He is majoring in human factors engineering and won the 2001 Most Improved Gymnast and Newcomer Awards. He is a 2001 USAG All-American on rings.
The Falcons kick off their season in a triangular meet with Oklahoma and Iowa Jan. 20 in Norman, OK. Air Force hosts the Rocky Mountain Open the following weekend, Jan. 25-26.
