Men’s gymnastics team to be recognized for national academic title

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In 2007, the Ohio State men’s gymnastics team created history by becoming the first squad in program history to be named National Academic Team Champions by the College Gymnastics Association, as well as the first to secure three-consecutive Big Ten championships.

To recognize the Buckeyes on their outstanding accomplishments, The Ohio State University is hosting an afternoon celebration to honor the team from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 2 at the South Campus Gateway.

“Miles Avery continues to lead a program that focuses on the development of the total student athlete,” Gene Smith, Ohio State Athletics Director, said. “The academic achievement of these young men reflects that. We are extremely proud of them.”

Ohio State head coach Miles Avery and the men’s gymnastics team would like to extend a welcome invitation to the Ohio State and Columbus community to be a part of this celebration as the university takes pride in the excellence achieved by its student-athletes.

At the event, guest speakers, including Ohio State President Gordon Gee, Athletics Director Gene Smith, as well as Avery and former OSU gymnasts, will be on hand to honor the team for its outstanding achievements in the classroom and in the gym with a special award. In addition, the team will hold an autograph session starting at 3:15 p.m.

Last year, the squad posted a 3.4 cumulative grade point average (GPA), interrupting Stanford’s four-year streak as the top academic team in the nation. Not only was the award a Buckeye first but it also logged a Big Ten Conference first. With the honor, Ohio State becomes just the fourth program to receive the title and joins the ranks of Stanford, MIT and William & Mary.

“I’m a proud coach,” Avery said. “As a team, we always strive to perform our best in both the gym and classroom. This is a tremendous accomplishment and the first time for Ohio State to be the top academic squad. I’m glad we can be in the company of programs like Stanford and MIT.”

For Ohio State, seven gymnasts secured a GPA of 3.5 or higher to be named first-team CGA All-America Scholar-Athletes, including Jake Bateman, Tony Duong, Kristopher Kline, Mike Marino, Andy Saurber, Shachar Tal and Jimmy Wickham. Tabbed as second-team selections were DJ Bucher, Eddie Hay and Willie Ito for earning a GPA between 3.2 and 3.499.

“It’s humbling to see so many people within the Ohio State community joining together to celebrate something we worked really hard to accomplish,” Wickham, a senior on the gymnastics team, said. “It’s good to see the academic side being congratulated as much as the athletic side.”

Event Schedule:
2 p.m. - Participants gather

2:15 p.m. – Band and cheerleaders
2:30 p.m. – Program begins
3:15 p.m. – Autograph session

Guest Speakers:
Gordon Gee, president
Gene Smith, athletics director
Martha Garland, dean of undergraduate studies
Miles Avery, head coach
Dr. Jamie Natalie, former gymnast
Kristopher Kline, former gymnast
 
For more information, please contact Emily Meyer (meyer.504@osu.edu/614.292.1389)