University of Minnesota Athletics
Four Gophers Set to Compete in Championships
6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
June 2, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota men's gymnasts Joel Gagnon and Justin Karstadt are set to compete at the 2016 Canadian Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta on June 3 and 4, while Gopher alum Ellis Mannon and Tristan Duran will compete at the P&G Championships in Hartford, Conn. on June 3 and 5.
In both meets, the respective National Teams will be selected.
One can follow along the Canadian Nationals Results here.
The mobile live meet can be found here.
Gagnon and Karstadt are currently on the Canadian National Team and competed for Team Canada at the 2016 Pacific Rim Meet, where they helped Canada earn the team a Bronze Medal.
"Justin and Joel are on track to have a solid competition in Edmonton in their efforts to re-qualify for the Senior National Team," said head coach Mike Burns. "Their schedule was such that they were able to maintain the high level of competitiveness they developed during the NCAA season and are looking to provide the same kind of success in competition they showed this season."
Gagnon and Karstadt both earned NCAA All-American status on the Pommel Horse and Floor Exercise, respectively. The top eight on each event at the NCAA Championships receive All-American nods.
Duran was voted the Gopher men's gymnastics Most Valuable Gymnast for the 2016 season and was one of the most consistent gymnasts on the squad this year. The Franklin Lakes, NJ native also earned a spot on the First Team All Big Ten squad by virtue of his third place finish in the All-Around at the 2016 Big Ten Championships.
Mannon will be competing as a Gopher alumni - training for the competition while simultaneously working full-time at Hormel in Austin, Minn. Duran will be making his first appearance at the P&G Championships after qualifying by virtue of his All-Around performance at the 2016 NCAA Championships.
"It will be great for Tristan to be competing alongside Ellis at this year's P&G Championships," said Burns. "Ellis has been competing at this level for years and his experience at this meet will help Tristan as he competes in his first P&G Championships."
"It's a tribute to the hard work of these athletes to be competing at the highest level in their respective national programs. With the Olympic Games right around the corner, the pressure will be high to perform - a lot is at stake in the fourth year of the Olympic Quadrennium."
Players Mentioned
