Falcons to Open Season Hosting Rocky Mountain Open
1/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Jan. 14, 2010
The No. 14 Air Force men's gymnastics team opens the 2010 competitive season this Saturday (Jan. 16), as it hosts the annual Rocky Mountain Open at the Cadet West Gym. The meet will feature conference opponents No. 9 Nebraska and No. 3 Oklahoma, the Arizona State and Washington club teams and select athletes from the United States Olympic Training Center.
Meet Notes 01: Rocky Mountain Open
MEET INFORMATION
The Rocky Mountain Open, which has been held at the Academy every year since 1981, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., at the Academy's Cadet West Gym.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
This is the first meet of the season for the three varsity programs. Oklahoma, which has won the past 10 RMO team titles, enters the 2010 season ranked third in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Nebraska is ranked ninth.
LOOKING BACK AT THE 2009 ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN
Oklahoma won its 10th consecutive team title, as it swept the individual event titles. Steven Legendre won the floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, high bar and all-around, while Corey English (pommel horse) and Ian Jackson (still rings) won the remaining two events. Following the Sooners' total of 355.000, Nebraska placed second (332.400) and Air Force finished third (317.900).
RETURNING CHAMPIONS
All three event champions from the 2009 Rocky Mountain Open will look to defend their titles.
THREE FALCONS INVITED TO WINTER CUP
Junior Nash Mills, sophomore Joel Uptmor and freshman Tory Brown were selected to compete at the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge in early February. In just one season, Air Force matched its total of gymnasts that have been invited to the Winter Cup over the past 20 years. Only Joel Miller (1992) and Jeff Andersen (2004) have competed at the Winter Cup, although Greg Stine (2007) was invited, but had to withdraw due to injury.
HOME SWEET HOME
After competing on the road for much of the past few years, Air Force will compete at the Academy four times this season. Following the season-opening Rocky Mountain Open on Jan. 16, the Falcons will face Illinois-Chicago in a pair of meets (March 5, March 7), before hosting the USAG Collegiate National Championships on March 26-27.
FALCONS RANKED 14TH IN PRESEASON POLL
Air Force earned a No. 14 placement in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll to enter the 2010 season. That ranking, the best amongst the three service academies, is the second-highest preseason ranking ever for the Falcons, falling just one spot shy of last year's 13th-place nod.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Air Force added six talented freshmen to its roster for the 2010 season. Tory Brown, Alex Jessop, Travis Langham, James Okamoto, Nick Owen and Thomas Wilkinson are the newest members of the program. This class encompasses two state champions, one member of the Junior Olympic National Team and numerous selections to the J.O. National Championships.
LEADING THE WAY
Air Force seniors Garrett Canter and Brennan Wolford will serve as co-captains for the 2010 season. It is just the 12th time in the Falcons' 54-year history that two gymnasts have shared the honor of team captain.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE FALCONS
Following the Rocky Mountain Open, Air Force will be off from competition until Saturday, Jan. 30, when it travels to Minneapolis, Minn., for a tri-meet with Minnesota and Nebraska.
