Huskers Contend with Nation's Best at U.S. Qualifier

Lincoln - Three members of the Nebraska men’s gymnastics team will face some of the nation’s most skilled gymnasts on Saturday, July 15, as they take part in the U.S. Qualifier in Colorado Springs, Colo. Lincoln natives Jason Wassung and Stephen T?trault, along with 2007 incoming freshman Kyle Shanahan, are all slated to compete in the event, which is the last opportunity for athletes to qualify for the VISA Championships in August.

The trio are among 99 men’s gymnasts from 22 states, including 10 current national team members and several former Olympians. The talent-laden field is vying for the opportunity to compete at the VISA Championships, which in turn determines the 2007 National Team.

This weekend’s qualifier is a one-day competition featuring two sessions beginning at Noon and 5 p.m., with both junior and senior men participating in both sessions.

Wassung enters his senior season at Nebraska in 2007, after becoming one of the team’s top all-arounders over the last three years. In 2006, Wassung finished fourth and 12th overall in the all-around at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and NCAA championships, respectively.

A 2005 vaulting All-American, T?trault, who will be a junior in 2007, has also been impressive as an all-arounder. He finished 10th nationally in the all-around during his freshman campaign and earned 11 top-three finishes including two in the all-around during the 2006 campaign.

A product of the Colorado Training Center and Coach Vitaly Marinitch, Shanahan will join the Huskers as a freshman in 2007. Already a national veteran, Shanahan has advanced to the VISA Championships for the past two seasons in the junior men’s division, finishing sixth in the all-around in 2004.