T?trault, Wassung Prepare for VISA Championships

Lincoln ? Nebraska gymnasts Stephen T?trault and Jason Wassung travel to St. Paul, <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Minn., this week as they take on the nation’s top men’s competitors at the 2006 VISA Championships, Aug. 16 to Aug. 19 at the XcelEnergyCenter.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

T?trault and Wassung are among a field of 81 senior men’s gymnasts set to compete at the event, which will determine the 2006 United States National Team in addition to crowning champions in each event.  The national team will go on to represent the U.S. at the World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, in October. 

 

Both Nebraska gymnasts advanced to the VISA Championships for the first time in their senior careers from the U.S. Qualifier held in Colorado Springs. Colo., on July 15.  The pair was among 27 competitors to qualify from the event.  Both T?trault and Wassung competed at the VISA Championships in the junior division during their club careers.

 

T?trault enters his junior season at Nebraska after earning All-America honors on the vault in 2004 and advancing to the NCAA all-around finals last season.  Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, T?trault also owns international experience as a two-time Elite Canada competitor, which is the Canadian equivalent of the VISA Championships.  He finished ninth in the all-around, sixth on the pommel horse and third on the vault at the 2005 Elite Canada.

 

Wassung, who earned the Huskers’ top all-around scores last season and finished 12th in the all-around at the 2006 NCAA Championships, enters his final season as Nebraska’s lone senior this year.

 

Day one of the 2006 VISA Championships for the senior men’s division begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, followed by the second and final day of competition at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18.  The entire men’s competition will be broadcast by NBC Sports on Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m.