Jan. 20, 2008

WEST POINT, N.Y - Temple finished first among collegiate teams at the 17th annual West Point Gymnastics Open over the weekend. Senior Luke Vexler finished first among collegiate competitors and fourth overall to highlight an outstanding performance by the Owls this past weekend.

On the opening night of competition, the Owls finished first among the collegiate teams with a 339.55, trailing only to Team Gattaca (347.10), a club team made up of Olympic Team members and former NCAA champions.

In the individual competition on Saturday, Vexler finished the competition fourth overall but first among all collegiate competitors, compiling a 42.00. Vexler medaled in two events on the day. He finished third in the floor competition, compiling a 14.00 for the event and tied for sixth in P Bars by compiling a 13.70.

Senior Andy Corp also had an outstanding day for the Owls, finishing 10th overall for the competition and second among collegiate competitors, trailing only teammate Vexler. He medaled in two events, finishing fifth overall on H bars, compiling 13.35 for the event and fifth in the P Bars with a 14.20.

Five other Owls finished in the top 25 for the event including sophomore Tyler Croteau who finished 16th overall with a score of 15.05. He finished fifth in the vault competition, totaling a 15.05, narrowly trailing the four competitors ahead of him.

Senior Sterling Kramer finished 17th in the competition, but was an impressive second in the P Bars with a score of 14.50. Sophomore Scott Bloomfield finished 18th overall with a score of 14.20. Junior Jason Russo and junior John Vogtman finished 22nd and 23rd for the day, with Vogtman finishing sixth in floor with a 13.60. The Owls finished the event with seven medals.

The Owls are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Penn State (7:00pm) to take on the Nittany Lions.