Buckeyes Sign Two U.S. Junior National Team Members – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
Front page photo credit: USA Gymnastics
Nov. 13, 2014
COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Junior National Team members Alec Yoder and Tristan Burke have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Ohio State and compete for the men’s gymnastics team, Ohio State head coach Rustam Sharipov announced Thursday.
“I’d like to welcome our new Buckeyes, Alec Yoder and Tristan Burke, to The Ohio State University,” Sharipov said. “We are excited to welcome two national team members and all-around specialists to our team. Their experience in national and international competition will make them immediate contributors and add to our team depth in each event.”
Yoder is a 12-time medalist in international competition and recently finished third in the all-around at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Naning, China, and second in the all-around at the 2014 Pacific Rim Championships in Richmond, Canada. He won a national title on pommel horse and placed sixth in the all-around in the 15-16 age group at the 2013 P&G Championships.
Burke is the 2014 U.S. all-around champion in the 15-16 age group, having claimed the national title at the 2014 P&G Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was fifth in the all-around at the 2014 Junior Olympic National Championships and sixth at the same event in 2013.
Learn more about the newest additions to the Ohio State men’s gymnastics program:
Alec Yoder
Indianapolis, Ind.
Club: InterActive Academy
Coach: Gene Watson
National Highlights
• U.S. Junior National Team Member (age 17-18)
• First-place in the all-round, 2014 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships
• 2013 P&G Championships, first-place on pommel horse; sixth-place in all-around (age 15-16)
• First-place on pommel horse, 2012 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships (age 14-15)
International Highlights
• Third-place in all-around, 2014 Youth Olympic Games
• Second-place in all-around, 2014 Pacific Rim Championships
• Second-place in all-around, 2014 Junior Pan American Championships
• Second-place in all-around, 2013 International Junior Mexican Cup
Tristan Burke
Royse City, Texas
Club: WOGA Gymnastics
Head Coach: Sergei Pakanich
National Highlights
• U.S. Junior National Team Member (age 15-16)
• 2014 U.S. all-around national champion, age 15-16
• Fifth place in the all-around, 2014 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships
• Sixth place in the all-around, 2013 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships
Ohio State opens the season with a pair of home exhibition meets at Steelwood Athletic Training Facility. The Scarlet and Gray Intrasquad will be held Dec. 13, followed by the Alumni Exhibition Jan. 10.
