Huskers Gain Experience at Winter Cup

Sophomore Paul Chumreonlert and freshman Stephen T?trault pitted themselves against the nation’s best this weekend as they competed in the Winter Cup in Las Vegas, Nev. on Friday, Feb. 4.  The Winter Cup, a meet designed to determine who advances to the UnitedState’s nationals in June, hosted a myriad of talent from across the country.

 

As one of 84 total senior division gymnasts, Chumreonlert competed in both the pommel horse where he scored a 9.0 for a 11th place finish overall and the still rings (7.733).

 

Although T?tault performed a strong vault routine (9.333), nearing his career high of 9.40, he just missed out on qualifying for the finals on Saturday, Feb. 5.  Despite the fact that both Chumreonlert and T?trault will not move on to Saturday’s competition, Head Coach Francis Allen feels the meet was a good experience for such young competitors.

 

“Both of them did a really good job,” Allen said.  “In fact, they may have done the best I’ve seen them do all season.  But the level of competition they were at is extremely high, and the only thing that will accomplish is to help them both become better gymnasts.”

 

This is the first Winter Cup for both Chumreonlert and T?trault who recently earned their first career highs in Nebraska’s season opener at the Rocky Mountain Open on Jan. 15.  Both gymnasts, along with the rest of the Husker squad, will now gear up to take on Oklahoma on Feb. 13 at the CoxCenter at 4 p.m. in Oklahoma City, Okla. 

 

The Huskers will also take on the Sooners in their first home meet of the season on Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. at the DevaneySportsCenter in Lincoln.