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Photo by: Bruce Kluckhohn
Nakamura Tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Week
2/5/2019 2:40:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
Gopher men's gymnastics freshman Eric Nakamura was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. It is the first conference award of Nakamura's career and Minnesota's first this season.
Nakamura earned the honors after a stellar performance on floor at the team's tri-meet against Iowa and UIC this past weekend. He notched a 14.400 for the team's best score of the year and the event title, and bested his previous personal record of a 13.800. The San Diego, Calif. native also helped lead the Gophers to a new team best score on the event with a 69.250.
"Eric came in as a walk-on this summer and has done nothing but improve his game on a daily basis," head coach Mike Burns said. "He's a real pleasure to have in the gym and his sense of humor makes me laugh on a regular basis."
Nakamura is one of nine freshmen on Minnesota's squad and has competed in every meet this season. He's been in the floor lineup each week and has made an appearance twice on rings. He is the first of the team's rookies to earn an event title. His score of 14.400 is the fourth-highest in the Big Ten this season.
Nakamura formerly competed with SCEGA gymnastics and is a graduate of Westview High School. He was a three-time Academic All-American and is majoring in economics at the the University of Minnesota.
Eric and the Gophers will be back at Maturi Pavilion for their second home meet of this season this Saturday, Feb. 9. Minnesota will host Arizona State for a 2:30 p.m. dual which will be broadcast on BTN Plus.
For tickets and home promo information, be sure to check out our promotions calendar. Follow along with the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all news and coverage of Gopher men's gymnastics!
Nakamura earned the honors after a stellar performance on floor at the team's tri-meet against Iowa and UIC this past weekend. He notched a 14.400 for the team's best score of the year and the event title, and bested his previous personal record of a 13.800. The San Diego, Calif. native also helped lead the Gophers to a new team best score on the event with a 69.250.
"Eric came in as a walk-on this summer and has done nothing but improve his game on a daily basis," head coach Mike Burns said. "He's a real pleasure to have in the gym and his sense of humor makes me laugh on a regular basis."
Nakamura is one of nine freshmen on Minnesota's squad and has competed in every meet this season. He's been in the floor lineup each week and has made an appearance twice on rings. He is the first of the team's rookies to earn an event title. His score of 14.400 is the fourth-highest in the Big Ten this season.
Nakamura formerly competed with SCEGA gymnastics and is a graduate of Westview High School. He was a three-time Academic All-American and is majoring in economics at the the University of Minnesota.
Eric and the Gophers will be back at Maturi Pavilion for their second home meet of this season this Saturday, Feb. 9. Minnesota will host Arizona State for a 2:30 p.m. dual which will be broadcast on BTN Plus.
For tickets and home promo information, be sure to check out our promotions calendar. Follow along with the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all news and coverage of Gopher men's gymnastics!
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