Men's gymnastics places fifth at regionals, sends four to NCAAs

When the Michigan men's gymnastics team traveled to Amherst, Mass. this past weekend, it was already riding a wake of accomplishment.

After finishing winless just two seasons ago, the Wolverines had established themselves as the eighth-best team in the nation this year, and they earned the right to compete in the NCAA East Regional on Saturday.

Michigan was seeded fifth out of the six teams that qualified, and finished in the same slot with a team score of 225.1.

Although the team failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships - an opportunity only given to the top three regional finishers - several individual members did earn the right to participate.

Michigan sophomore LaLo Haro captured the top slot in the all-around competition with a 56.725. Haro has been a strong all-around performer for the Wolverines all season, and recently placed ninth at the Big Ten Championships.

NATHAN RUFFER/Daily Freshman Justin Toman took the top qualifying spot on the parallel bars at the NCAA East Regionals last Saturday. Toman will join three of his teammates as they travel to Penn State for the NCAA Championships on March 16-18.

Also topping the competition was Justin Toman on parallel bars. The Michigan freshman scored a 9.8 to capture the top seed in the East for the NCAAs in two weeks. In addition to being the team leader in the event, Toman also took top honors on parallel bars at the Big Tens.

On vault, senior Tim Lauring assured himself a spot at the national competition, while freshman Kenny Keener qualified on still rings.

Michigan's Kevin Roulston, this year's Big Ten freshman of the year, failed to qualify for the NCAAs.

Michigan coach Kurt Golder said he was satisfied with the team's performance Saturday.

"We came in seeded fifth, and I wanted to at least maintain that position," Golder said.

Surprising subpar performances from top-seeded Iowa and Penn State allowed Ohio State to finish first, with Illinois second. The Hawkeyes, who were the undefeated Big Ten champions, squeaked into the third and final spot after suffering a devastating performance on pommel horse. Penn State's season ended as it finished fourth in the region.

The Wolverines were 1.85 points away from qualifying, and Golder said that with a perfect meet, the team may have qualified.

"They certainly opened the door for us, but we just weren't able to take advantage of it," he said.

But although the Wolverines could not mount a qualifying run, they did come away with another victory that has been elusive this year. After the team was edged out by rival Michigan State three weeks in a row, Michigan had the last laugh on Saturday.

The Spartans fell apart in postseason competition, falling not only to the Wolverines but to the entire field, placing sixth.

Haro, Toman, Lauring and Keener will have two weeks to perfect their skills before heading to Penn State for the NCAA Championships on April 16-18.

Regardless of how those four fare, the Wolverines have already accomplished a goal that many didn't expect of them until 1999 - going from the league cellar to the ranks of the NCAA elite in two short seasons.

"We're already a year ahead of schedule," Golder said.

04-06-98