ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's gymnastics team posted a season-high score and notched wins on four of six events to defeat the University of Minnesota by a score of 213.800-209.150 on Saturday night (Feb. 11) in Cliff Keen Arena. Michigan surpassed its previous season-high mark (207.400) by more than six points and avenged last year's narrow loss to the Gophers in Minneapolis.
Senior Luke Bottke (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS) started Michigan off on a high note by notching a 9.45 for first place on the floor exercise. Freshman Scott Bregman (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence Free State HS) and senior Gerry Signorelli (Colorado Springs, Colo./Mitchell HS) added a pair of 9.10s to tie for second place. The score marked a season high for Bregman.
The Wolverines kept their momentum rolling on the pommel horse with strong performances from junior Patrick Whitlock (Newnan Ga./Newnan HS) and freshman Phillip Goldberg (Ringgold, Ga./McCallie HS). Rakes posted an 8.40 for fourth place just ahead of Goldberg's mark of 8.30 for fifth. After two rotations Michigan had erected a lead of 70.15-68.70.
Wolverine freshmen dominated the rings in the third rotation, taking three of the top four spots. Standout rookie Joe Catrambone (Deptford, N.J./Gloucester Catholic HS) grabbed first place with a clean 9.30 and a stuck dismount. Goldberg, who also stuck his dismount, showed great strength positions and was rewarded with a 9.10 for third place. Ralph Rosso (Morganville, N.J./St. John Vianney HS) rounded out the top four with a solid 9.05.
Senior Andrew DiGiore (Buffalo, N.Y./City Honors School) grabbed his third victory of the season on vault by posting a 9.40. He took only a slight hop on his two and a half twisting vault. Sophomore Daniel Rais (Livonia, Mich./Franklin HS) boomed a huge double-twisting vault for a 9.25 and third place. After four events, the Wolverines had stretched their lead to142.85-140.15.
Catrambone and junior Andrew Elkind (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) paced Michigan on the parallel bars with a tie for second place and score of 8.75. Signorelli was right behind with an 8.70 for fifth place.
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