University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Gymnastics Inks Three
11/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
University of Minnesota men's gymnastics head coach Mike Burns announced the signing of three high school gymnasts to National Letters of Intent. Zack Chase (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville HS/Cascade Elite Gymnastics), Matt Frey (Bradenton, FL/Pendleton HS/South Florida Gymnastics), and Steffen Beck (Tampa, FL/HB Plant HS/LaFleur's Gymnastics, Tampa) will all be wearing the Maroon & Gold in the Fall of 2010 as part of the newest incoming freshman class.
"All three of these young men bring an array of talent with them to our program and we are very excited about their decision to join us next year," Burns said.
Chase, from Cascade Elite Gymnastics and coached by Eric Haverty, competed at the 2009 VISA Championships in Dallas last summer where he finished first on the vault.
"Zack's ability to flip and twist is really amazing," Burns said. "He has great air sense and will be a huge addition to our team's strength on vault and floor exercise. But he has potential to do great things on still rings, parallel bars and high bar. I really feel that Zack has just scratched the surface of his potential and I'm excited for the opportunity to help him develop. Zack also brings high academic standards to our program and I look forward to seeing him develop as a student as well."
Matt Frey, from South Florida Gymnastics and coached by Chris Lakeman, competed at the 2009 Junior Nationals finishing 43rd in the all-around competition.
"Matt came to our camp last August and immediately impressed us with his work ethic, skill level, and determination," Burns said. "In the week he was here for camp we found out a lot about Matt Frey as a gymnast and a person and we are extremely excited about Matt's decision to join us next year. He has a huge upside in terms of what he can achieve and he is another great student. I truly believe Matt Frey is a name that will be remembered for years in Minnesota Gymnastics history."
Steffen Beck, from LaFleur's Gymnastics - Tampa is another Florida product who will be a great addition to the team.
"Steffen is rapidly improving in all areas as he gets stronger," Burns said. "He has very good skill level on pommel horse, rings, vault, and parallel bars and his high bar is really starting to show great promise."
Beck finished in 41st place in the all-around at the 2009 Junior National Championships and represented the United States at the 2009 Maccabiah Games in Israel last summer. Beck was also a First Team USA Gymnastics All-America Academic honoree, so he too brings with him great academic credentials.
"I'm very excited about this group of young men who will be attending the University of Minnesota next fall," Burns said. "They are about to begin a journey in the next phase of their lives that will be extremely rewarding. I look forward to helping them move into that phase as seamlessly as possible."
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