Feb. 5, 2010
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Penn State men's gymnastics assistant coach and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Kevin Tan advanced to the finals of the 2010 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. The finals are scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET on Sat., Feb. 6.
Tan, a five-time Winter Cup still rings champion, finished fifth overall, according to USA Gymnastics' performance-based points-ranking system, compiling 47 total points. Still attempting to regain top form following post-Olympic shoulder surgery, he competed in four events, placing fourth in the parallel bars (14.750), seventh in the pommel horse (tie, 14.350), 10th in the high bar (13.950), and 16th in the still rings (tie, 14.000).
Senior Nick Virbitsky (Harrisburg, Pa.), taking part in the second Winter Cup of his career, competed in three events (floor exercise, vault, high bar) in the preliminaries on Thursday night. His top performance came in the floor exercise, as he tied for 20th with a score of 14.250.
Senior Matt Greenfield (Villanova, Pa.) and freshman Scott Rosenthal (Clearfield, Pa.) made their Winter Cup debuts in the preliminary competition. Greenfield performed in three events (floor exercise, vault, high bar), earning a personal-best 35th place in the high bar (13.100), while Rosenthal competed exclusively in the still rings, finishing in 35th place with a score of 13.050.
Competing in his fourth career Winter Cup, Penn State volunteer assistant coach Vladi Klurman placed 70th in the all-around, amassing a six-event score of 63.950. His top showing came in the vault, as he placed 30th with a score of 15.350.
The results and a points-ranking system were used to determine the top 43 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.
Performances at the 2010 Winter Cup Challenge will help determine the 15 men who will comprise the U.S. Men's Senior National Team through the 2010 Visa Championships in Hartford, Conn., Aug. 11-14. Ten gymnasts will qualify for the team using the National Team Points System, and the remaining five will be selected by the Men's Program Committee from among the Winter Cup participants and athlete petitions.