Temple Last Challenge Before Postseason – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/18/1999 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
March 18, 1999
The senior class of Michael Canales, Tim Elsner, Peter Landry and Doug Stibel finished its home career in St. John Arena over the weekend on a winning note, marching past Illinois-Chicago en route to a 230.350-223.050 victory. Stibel had two season-highs, set a new season-high and won two events. The ties came on the floor exercise (9.60) and pommel horse (9.50). He won the vault (9.70) and the all-around with the season-high, which was also one of the top scores in the country (57.750). The win on Sat. gave the Class of 1999 a career unbeaten home dual-meet record of 11 consecutive wins, while its overall career dual-meet record is a remarkable 25-2 heading into this weekend.
STIBEL BIG TEN WEB ATHLETE OF WEEK
Doug Stibel is featured as the Big Tens Web Athlete of the Week this week. The article details how Stibel developed his nickname “Big Dog” and the logic behind his motivation. The full story is available on the Big Ten Conference Web site (www.bigten.org).
OHIO STATE REMAINS SECOND IN POLLS
In the latest rankings from GymInfo, the Buckeyes remain second. The Temple Owls are 17th. The top ten is as follows:
1. Penn State 2. Ohio State 3. Iowa 4. Illinois 5. Michigan 6. Michigan State 7. Oklahoma 8. Nebraska 9. BYU 10. California 17. Temple
BUCKEYES IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Several Buckeyes again have laid claim to the top rankings. Tim Elsner leads thenation in the floor exercise, while Jamie Natalie is seventh and Doug Stibel is 19th. Natalie is 12th on the pommel horse, while Daren Lynch is eighth on rings and Elsner is tied for 18th. On the vault, Stibel is second, Lynch is sixth, Elsner is tied for 13th and Earnest Nelson is 18th. Peter Landry currently is seventh on the parallel bars, while Elsner is 11th and Natalie 12th and Lynch is 20th. Stibel holds third on the horizontal bar, where Natalie is fifth, Jay Nardelli is tied for tenth and Michael Canales is tied for 19th. Natalie is also third in the all-around competition, with Stibel coming in at tenth, followed by Elsner in the 11 spot.
A HOMECOMING FOR COACH AVERY
Head coach Miles Avery will return to his alma mater, Temple University, this weekend. The competition will be the first meeting between the two programs with Avery at the helm. Previously he was an assistant coach for the Buckeyes before being elevated to head coach. Avery was a four-year letterwinner at Temple. He was a two-year captain and was three-time most valuable gymnast.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Buckeyes will have their final tune-up against Temple this weekend before heading to Iowa City, Iowa for the Big Ten Championship on March 26-27. The last time Ohio State won a Big Ten team title was in 1997, while Peter Landry is the defending Big Ten Champion on the parallel bars. Landry and Doug Stibel were all-Big Ten selections after last years Championship as well. After the Big Ten Championship, the team will have time to prepare for the NCAA Eastern Regional on April 10, hosted by the University of Illinois. The season concludes on April 22-24 at the NCAA Championship hosted by the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.
