University of Minnesota Athletics
Men's Gym Adds Four to 2018-19 Roster
11/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota men's gymnastics program has signed four student-athletes to the class of 2022, head coach Mike Burns announced Thursday.
"I'm very excited for this crop of incoming freshmen who will be wearing the Maroon & Gold in a few short months," Burns said. "They all possess outstanding gymnastics resumes and they also bring strong academic backgrounds with them to the Twin Cities. Not only did we sign four outstanding student-athletes but we also were able to attract four young men from great families with great character. Our future is bright with these young men in it."
David Pochinka - WOGA Gymnastics - Plano High School
Pochinka is a native of Plano, Texas and brother of current Gophers senior Yaro Pochinka. He competes for WOGA Gymnastics club and attends Plano Senior High School. He is a two-time national team member and a two-time P&Gs qualifier. He won gold medal on parallel bars and rings and was an all-around silver medalist at the 2017 nationals competition. His highest career score is a 15.4 on parallel bars.David Pochinka kicks off #NSD17 for us today! @Mikeburns265 said he could end up being the top incoming freshman in the nation on the parallel bars. #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/WKr733Isgh
- Minnesota Men's Gym (@GopherMGym) November 8, 2017
"David will have an immediate impact on the continued success of the Gopher gymnastics program," Burns said. "He will add some serious firepower to our lineup across the board and could prove to be the top incoming freshman in the nation on the parallel bars. I'm thrilled that we are able to keep the Pochinka legacy going strong here at the University of Minnesota."
Ben Eyles - Triad Gymnastics - Ames High School
Eyles is a native of Ames, Iowa. He competes for Triad Gymnastics and attends Ames High School. He was named an academic All-American by USA gymnastics, is a five-time state champion and a two-time regional champion.Welcome to the #Gophers @ben_eyles18! Ben is a five-time state champion and an academic All-American. #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/e1JP1o0OQA
- Minnesota Men's Gym (@GopherMGym) November 8, 2017
"Ben is an incredibly talented gymnast whose best years are ahead of him," Burns said. "We were sold on Ben after having him attend our summer camp. He made a huge impression with his talent, drive and work ethic and I'm extremely excited what this young man can bring to our program."
Michael Moran - U.S. Gymnastics Development Center - Morristown High School
Moran is a native of Morristown, N.J. He competes for U.S. Gymnastics Development Center in Mahwah, N.J., and attends Morristown High School. He was a 2016 state all-around champion and a 2016 national qualifier on top of being named an academic All-American.HOT off the printer! Another NLI signed for #NSD17. Welcome Michael Moran to the #Gophers. @Mikeburns265 said Michael will make an immediate impact on floor and vault. pic.twitter.com/NBqEWU3YK9
- Minnesota Men's Gym (@GopherMGym) November 8, 2017
"Hard work and determination are staples of Mike's character," Burns said. "Mike is another in a line of Golden Gophers from USGDC where he follows senior Tristan Duran and sophomore Timmy Kutyla. He'll make an immediate impact for us on floor and vault but I'm really excited about the progress he's making on his other events. He is starting to show some outstanding skill development."
Daniel Yoon - SCATS - Marina High School
Yoon is a native from Manhattan Beach, Calif. He competes for SCATS Gymnastics and attends Marina High School. He has qualified for Winter Cup, Junior Olympic national championships and has competed at the P&G qualifier in his career taking fifth place in the all-around competition. He is also a state champion and an academic All-American.And that is a wrap on #NSD17! Welcome Daniel Yoon to the #Gophers. Daniel is a three-time All-American in the gym and an academic All-American in the classroom. #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/Et2qW5gwF1
- Minnesota Men's Gym (@GopherMGym) November 9, 2017
"Daniel, like David Pochinka, comes to us with some very high level competitive experience at the P&G Championships," Burns said. "Only the top gymnasts in the US Junior Program make it to that meet and he'll be carrying that experience with him as he joins our program."
Players Mentioned
