June 19, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Penn State men's gymnastics assistant coach Kevin Tan provided further proof that he is the nation's most dominant still rings performer on day one of the U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday evening in Philadelphia, besting the all-star field with a score of 16.550. He topped his nearest challenger by .750.
Tan also placed fifth in the high bar (15.050), eight in the pommel horse (13.900), and ninth in parallel bars (15.150). He finished second among competitors who competed in a total of four events, behind only 2004 Olympian Morgan Hamm.
The second day of competition will take place on Sat., June 21 beginning at 3 p.m. NBC will broadcast day two of the trials on a tape delayed basis from 4:30-6 p.m. ET.
The team that will represent the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games will be introduced on Sun., June 22 during day two of the women's all-around finals. The squad will be comprised of six gymnasts, plus at least one or as many as three alternates. The 2008 Olympic Games are scheduled for August 8-24.
Tan is bidding to become Penn State's first American Olympian since 1976 when Nittany Lions Marshall Avener, Gene Whelan, and Wayne Young represented the U.S. at the games in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In total, 16 former Penn State gymnasts have competed in the Olympics representing the United States, Sweden, Great Britain, and Puerto Rico.