Men’s Gymnastics Signs Top Student-Athlete – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
Nov. 21, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tai Lee, from Sorrento, Fla., signed a letter of intent to enroll at Ohio State and compete for the Ohio State men’s gymnastics team beginning in 2006, Buckeye head coach Miles Avery announced Thursday.
Lee comes to Ohio State with national and international experience. Last May he finished sixth in the all-around and first on rings, scoring a 9.9, at the 2005 Junior Olympic National Championships. At the 2005 Visa Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., he placed second in the all-around and first on rings. He earned a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team in 2004 and trains under Casimiro Suarez at Orlando Metro Gymnastics.
Abroad, Lee recently competed in Yokohama, Japan, at the International Junior Gymnastics competition and earned the highest ranking for a U.S. junior gymnast in the world at sixth in the all-around. He was the only U.S. gymnast to earn a medal, garnering a silver medal on rings. Additionally, Lee participated at the 2005 Stella Zakharova Cup in Kiev, Ukraine, and the 2004 Junior Pan American Games in San Salvador, El Salvador, where he placed third on rings at both contests.
“Lee is one of the strongest junior gymnasts in the world,” Avery said. “He will make an immediate impact on the Buckeye squad, the NCAA and the U.S. National Team program. We are extremely fortunate to have Lee and his family select Ohio State to further his education and gymnastics.”
As Lee enters Ohio State, he plans to major in business.
“I’m really excited about coming to Ohio State,” Tai said. “I’m a little nervous about moving away from Florida, but I heard a lot of good things about the (gymnastics) program from my former teammate, (former Buckeye) Kerry Adderly.”
The Buckeyes begin their season with the Mixed Pairs exhibition held in St. John Arena Dec. 4.
