Chumreonlert on the High Horse for Nebraska

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska sophomore Paul Chumreonlert enjoyed a career-high 9.6 on the pommel horse for a second place finish at the 14th annual West Point Open on Saturday, Jan. 29.  Chumreonlert has improved his score in this event in every performance this season, most recently topping his previous high of 9.55 from Friday’s team competition.  He also claimed one title on the pommel horse (9.45) two weeks ago at the Rocky Mountain Open.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

“Chumreonlert did a nice routine under pressure,” Head Coach Francis Allen said.  “He’s getting better and when you do that people start to expect more out of you.  He understands that and is growing into those shoes very quickly.”

 

Chumreonlert competed in the still rings (9.15) finals too, but a strong rings field that included a meet-high 9.825 from defending national event champion Kevin Tann, pushed Chumreonlert back into seventh-place.

 

Several notable national champions joined the Huskers in the finals including Tann, competing as an independent and PennState’s Luis Vargas of the all-around.  William and Mary’s Ramon Jackson, the 2004 parallel bars champion, competed during the team portion of the West Point Open but withdrew from the finals.

 

NU sophomore Jason Wassung had a solid showing overall at the West Point Open with a third-place finish on the parallel bars (8.55) following third in the all-around (52.9) during Friday’s team competition.

 

Senior Tony Burtle claimed a top-three spot at the finals with a 9.375 on the vault, while fellow senior Mace Patterson finished seventh on the high bar (8.20). 

 

Next week, the Huskers will take a break from team competition as Chumreonlert and freshman Stephen T?trault head to Las Vegas, Nev. for the 2005 Winter Cup.  The meet is by invitation only and hosts some of the sport’s best from around the nation.  Preliminary competition begins Friday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 and 5:30 CTS followed by event finals on Saturday at 8 p.m.

 

 

 

Event Finals Results (NU Gymnasts Only)

Floor Exercise

8.         Derric Wood                  8.30

9.         Tony Burtle                    8.15

 

Pommel Horse

2.         Paul Chumreonlert         9.60     

8.         Jason Wassung             7.40

 

Still Rings

7.         Paul Chumreonlert         9.15

 

Vault

3.         Tony Burtle                    9.375

 

Parallel Bars

3.         Jason Wassung             8.55

 

High Bar

7.         Mace Patterson             8.20