Feb. 6, 2009
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Penn State volunteer assistant coach and 2008 graduate Vladi Klurman qualified for the finals of the 2009 Winter Cup Challenge as a result of his performance in preliminary competition on Thursday evening at the Las Vegas Sports Center in Las Vegas, Nev. However, a shoulder injury suffered during his parallel bars routine will prevent the 2007 All-American from competing in the finals on Saturday night.
A key member of the Nittany Lions' 2007 NCAA champion and 2008 Big Ten champion teams, Klurman placed 37th overall (based on a performance-based, points-ranking system), compiling 30 points. The Odessa, Ukraine-born North Miami Beach, Fla. native performed well in the pommel horse, placing third in Session II and eighth overall with a score of 14.200. He also had a solid showing in the still rings, finishing in 10th place in the evening qualifier (14.050).
Freshman Miguel Pineda (Galloway, Ohio) also competed in the Winter Cup preliminaries on Thursday night, earning a 19th place, Session II finish in the all-around with a six-event total of 77.150. His top performance came in the still rings, as he tied for seventh with a score of 14.200
The results and a points-ranking system were used to determine the top 42 gymnasts from the qualification round who advanced to the finals. Scores from both days of competition count toward the final rankings for the all-around and individual events.
Seven gymnasts will be named to the U.S. Men's Senior National Team based on the national team points ranking system from the Winter Cup Challenge, and one each will be selected by the Men's Program Committee and men's national team coordinator. The six members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men's gymnastics can petition for spots, and the Men's Program Committee will name additional members to the senior national team if any Olympic positions are unused. The 15 gymnasts named to the team will comprise the U.S. Men's Senior National Team until the 2009 Visa Championships in August.