4/15/2005 - Men's Gymnastics
Gymnastics Places Second at USA Team Championship

Ithaca, N.Y. - The Navy gymnastics team placed second out of six teams Friday with a season-high score of 208.25 at the USA Championship. The meet was being held at Newman Arena on the campus of Cornell University. It was Navy's second runner-up finish at the championship in as many seasons.

William & Mary won the team championship with a score of 211.475, while Springfield College rounded out the top three with a total of 202.075. Air Force (195.625), James Madison (194.15) and M.I.T. (181.175) placed fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

Four mids placed among the top-six in the individual all-around competition. Junior Grant Regelin (Columbia, Md.) placed second with a score of 51.275, while classmate Ben Peterman (Amherst, Mass.) was third with a 50.75. Freshman Christopher Tam (Draper, Utah) followed in fourth by posting a score of 50.525 and senior captain Josh Blackman (Fayetteville, Ga.) finished in sixth place with a 50.375.

Several mids also qualified for the individual event finals Saturday afternoon. Cook and Blackman each qualified in three events. Cook advanced to the finals of the floor exercise, pommel horse and vault. Blackman will compete on the rings, vault and parallel bars. Peterman and Regelin each qualified for two events. Peterman made it to the finals of the floor exercise and high bar, while Regelin will compete in the parallel bar and high bar. Sophomore Sean Blackman (Fayetteville, Ga.) also advanced to the finals, as he will compete on the rings.

The individual finals will begin at 2 p.m., in Newman Arena.