University of Minnesota Athletics
Intrasquad Meet Preview: Maroon Team
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota men's gymnastics team, ranked No. 5 in the Big Ten Coaches' Preseason Poll, is set to host the annual Maroon vs. Gold scrimmage to kick off the 2016 season. The two teams will face off at the Sports Pavilion on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.
Joel Gagnon leads the young Maroon team, which is comprised of sophomores Luke Aldrich, Jordan Poganski and Tristan Duran and freshmen Shaun Herzog, Vitali Kan, Michael Harris and Ben Winkel.
Sophomore co-captain Joel Gagnon earned All-American status after advancing to the NCAA individual event finals last year. The Gophers' Freshman of the Year is looking to repeat as an All-American on the floor, but also looking to improve in other events to help the team. "I have put in a lot of work on parallel bars and rings, two events that I didn't compete for the team last year," he said. "We are losing some guys on those events, so a lot of us have to step up. I'd love to be one of them."
During Gagnon's offseason, he was also named Gymnastics Saskatchewan National Athlete of the Year. The committee who gave him this award took into account his accomplishments on his club team as well as the national team and collegiate accomplishments. Gagnon also won the Silver Medal on floor at the Canadian Senior Nationals in May.
Luke Aldrich competed in four regular season meets last season on pommel horse and floor. Aldrich focused only on improving those two events this offseason. "I definitely feel stronger with pommel horse," he said. "I feel a hundred times better than last year. With floor, I felt like I couldn't do my dismount, but this year I'm already doing it. When season comes around, I'll already be able to land and probably stick it."
Jordan Poganski did not see action last season but has been working this offseason to make the line-up . "One thing I have been working on to improve this season is consistency," he said. "I have to make every turn count."
Tristan Duran participated on floor, vault, parallel bars, high bars and pommel horse last season and is looking to improve on all of these events this year. He is also looking to add still rings to his skill set. "Individually, I would like to compete in all-around all season and I just think that I've always wanted to do that since I came here," Duran said. "Injuries have held me back, but I'm finally healthy and ready. "
Freshman Shaun Herzog arrives after a successful high school career including becoming the Massachusetts high bar state champion. "I can't wait to show the team and fans what I'm capable of doing."
Joining Herzog is newcomer Vitali Kan who was a Junior Olympic Champion in all-around and vault. Kan is overjoyed to become a Gopher and cannot wait to show the fans what he is all about. "I'm looking forward to those routines that I'll look back at four years later and say, 'I wish I could experience this again!'"
Freshman Michael Harris comes to Minnesota after a successful club career with Swiss Turners Gymnastics Academy. Harris won the Wisconsin state championship for floor and parallel bars last year.
Rounding out the Maroon team is Ben Winkel. Winkel joins the maroon and gold after winning championships in Minnesota on the club level and competing at the Junior Olympic level. The freshman is looking forward to the team aspect of college gymnastics as club is more individualized. "Coming to college, I will have a team of 19 other guys who are all passionate about the sport like I am, and we all depend on each other to become the best team possible."
Gagnon has high expectations going into the season but knows there is still plenty of work to be done. "It's just going to come down to how hard we work in the gym and how consistent we can make our routines," he said. "At the end of the day, every team is good, it is just knowing that we can hit our routines and know we can perform."
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Players Mentioned
