T?trault Shines at Canadian National Championships

Vancouver, B.C., Canada ? Nebraska All-American Stephen T?trault visited his home country of Canada last week for the Canadian National Championships where he finished ninth in the all-around (48.70), sixth in the pommel horse (8.10) and third in the vault (9.375) of the senior men’s division.  Originally from <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, T?trault moved to Lincoln five years ago to train with the Nebraska School of Gymnastics before becoming a part of the NU squad.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

“It was really fun to go up there and be competitive on a national level after having spent the last few years in the States,” T?trault said.  “It just showed that I’m really progressing here and reinforces my decision to come to Nebraska.”

 

Of the eight competitors who finished in front of T?trault in the all-around, all are current members of the Canadian National team, putting the young Husker in a unique position to advance into their ranks.

 

“All of the guys who beat Stephen [T?trault] out are already competing on the national team,” Nebraska assistant coach Chuck Chmelka said.  “And the next competitor was almost four points behind him, so he’s really part of that higher tier of gymnasts, which could end up putting him on their national squad.”

 

Unlike the United States which qualifies individuals for the national team based on their finish at the U.S. National Championships, Canada reserves the right to choose its squad.  Because of this, T?trault’s presence on the roster has yet to be determined.

 

T?trault capped off the 2005 collegiate season garnering All-America status for Nebraska with a fifth-place finish on the vault and 10th in the all-around at the NCAA Championships in April.