Falcons Announce 2011 Men's Gymnastics Schedule
9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Sept. 3, 2010
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Highlighted by four competitions, including the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in early April, the Air Force men's gymnastics team embarks on another ambitious schedule, sixth-year head coach Kip Simons announced today, with the release of the 2011 competitive schedule.
Air Force will kick off the 2011 campaign on Saturday, Jan. 15, when it hosts the annual Rocky Mountain Open at the Academy's Cadet West Gym. Air Force remains at home the following week to host service academy rival Army on Saturday, Jan. 22. The meet, which will run in conjunction with a women's meet, will celebrate 55 years of Air Force Gymnastics.
Air Force leaves the friendly confines of the Academy on Jan. 29 to travel to Lincoln, Neb., for a showdown with conference rival Nebraska. The Falcons remain on the road Feb. 3, as select gymnasts compete at the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Falcons then travel to Aliso Viejo, Calif., for the All-Academy Championships on Feb. 13. One of the biggest meets on the schedule, the Falcons look to retain their 2010 All-Academy title against Army and Navy.
"This is the pinnacle meet of the year," Simons said of the All-Academy Championships. "There is so much pride is on the line anytime we meet Army and Navy."
Air Force will then travel to Minneapolis, Minn., for a dual meet with the Golden Gophers on Feb. 19, before competing in a pair of meets at UIC in Chicago, Ill (March 4, March 6). Following another pair of weekend meets at Brockport (March 11) and Springfield (March 13), the Falcons return to the Academy to close out the regular season against Washington on Sunday, March 20.
The Falcons return to Springfield, Mass., to begin postseason competition. Air Force will look to defend its national title at the 2011 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships on March 25-26, before hosting the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships at Cadet West Gym on April 2. The season concludes with the NCAA Championships on April 14-16 in Columbus, Ohio.
"I look for a strong showing at the USAG Nationals," Simons stated about the team's postseason. "With a strong showing, we will contend for the title again this year. There will be a lot on the line when we host the MPSF Championships in early April. We expect to be in peak shape and make a push for a team selection to the NCAA Championships."
