Title: Mens Gymnastics again breaks team records at ECAC's
By: David Golombek, Team Member

MIT's Men's gymnastics team finished off an excellent season by placing 6th at Nationals, held in Denton, Texas. The best division 2, 3, and non-scholarship division 1 schools in the country were there to compete, as well as club teams from around the country. Notable teams at the meet included UCLA, Arizona State, William And Mary's, and the Air Force Academy. Individuals such as Steve Mccain (UCLA) from the US National Team and Sinaisty Nuez (Miami Dade) from the Cuban National Team highlighted the meet with impressive performances.

Despite the tough scoring of judges at the national level, the MIT team again managed to break it's 5 man team record, bringing it to 216 under the old scoring rules. Rob Cooper '97 placed 11th in all-around competition, followed closely by Chris Ellefson '95 in 12th. Van Van '97 had an excellent meet, setting personal bests on the four events he competed. David Golombek '98 also had a good meet, setting two personal bests.

MIT got off to a strong start in the meet on Vault. Art Shectman '95, Geoff Phillippe '95, and Golombek threw handsprings for good scores. Andy McCraith '98 and Ellefson followed, also throwing excellent handsprings. Cooper finished off the event with an almost perfectly stuck handspring full, earning him an 8.5.

Parallel Bars likewise got off to a strong beginning. Golombek, Van began the event for the team, both scoring personal bests. Scott Lazerwith '95 hit his best routine of the season, but was given a surprisingly low 7.0. Cooper, Andrew Lobban '97, and Ellefson finished the event for the team. Next came Pommel Horse, with McCraith and Van starting with good routines. Ellefson, Lobban, and Cooper followed, all posting excellent individual scores.

Golombek started off floor exercise for the team, followed by Shectman. Van threw an excellent routine and scored a 7.9, followed by Ellefson who scored an 8.2. Cooper finished off the round with another clean routine, earning an 8.65.

High bar followed, started by Van setting yet another personal best. Shectman, Ellefson, and Cooper followed with nice sets. Lobban finished up the event, swinging a difficult routine similar to that of the finalists in the event, with the exception of a dismount, rendered impossible by his still healing ACL.

Brian Clarkson '97 and Geoff Phillipe '95 started off Still Rings, followed by Lobban. Next up were Cooper and Lazerwith, scoring 7.55 and 8.45. Ellefson finished off the event and the meet, scoring an 8.35.