University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNESOTA MEN'S GYMNASTS TABBED PRESEASON NO. 8
11/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota is coming off a rollercoaster 2001 season that saw the Maroon and Gold post the team's first Big Ten dual meet wins since 1997, finish seventh in the conference and notch exceptional individual performances at the NCAA Championships.
Golden Gopher Clay Strother, a junior in 2002, captured two NCAA Individual Event titles, winning the floor exercise and pommel horse crowns. In addition, the Jasper, Texas native finished in fifth place in the all-around at the national meet for his third All-America honor. He is unquestionably the leader of the 2002 Minnesota squad.
Also returning for the Golden Gophers is sophomore Eric Steele, a native of Knoxville, Tenn. Steele won the vault title at the 2001 Big Ten Championships and was later named Freshman of the Year for his impressive performances throughout the season.
The Golden Gophers host the 35th annual Alumni Meet Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion. The Maroon and Gold opens official competition Jan. 12, 2002, at the Windy City Invitational in Chicago, Ill.
