Cameron Earns Spot on U.S. National Team

Saturday, February 6

Las Vegas, Nev.

7:00 PM PT

Michigan

Winter Cup Finals

2/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics

Feb. 7, 2010

Site: Las Vegas, Nev. (Las Vegas Sports Center)
Event: Winter Cup Invitational (Finals)
U-M Team Result: No Team Scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 13 -- vs. University of Illinois-Chicago (Cliff Keen Arena), 7 p.m.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Junior Chris Cameron (Winter Haven, Fla./Lake Region) of the No.1-ranked University of Michigan men's gymnastics team finished in third place with an all-around score of 87.600 and was named to his third consecutive U.S. senior national team at the Winter Cup Invitational finals on Saturday (Feb. 6) at the Las Vegas Sports Center. Senior Mel Anton Santander (Southborough, Mass./Algonquin Regional) and junior Thomas Kelley (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) also competed in the all-around, receiving 85.050 and 83.300 marks, respectively.

The Wolverines started the competition on the parallel bars where Cameron, Michigan's highest ranked competitor after night one, set a season high of 14.650. Kelley recorded a solid 14.500 to open the meet.

Junior Ian Makowske (Redding, Conn./Joel Barlow) led U-M in the second rotation, breaking his career-best mark on high bar for the third time this season (14.350). Santander and Cameron continued to post solid scores, 14.100 and 13.350, respectively.

In rotation three, Michigan moved to the floor exercise where Cameron is quickly becoming the safest bet in Las Vegas, posting his fifth score of 15.000 or better in as many appearances with a 15.250 to finish in second place on the event. Senior Kent Caldwell (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin) set a season high behind a stuck triple twisting dismount to match Cameron's 15.250.

The pommel horse, U-M's fourth event, was the site of spectacular performances from Cameron, who matched his season-best mark of 15.000, and Santander, whose smooth swing and clean form lifted him to a 14.750. Cameron collected another second-place finish on the pommel horse.

Senior Phillip Goldberg (Dalton, Ga./McCallie) competed his only routine in rotation five, posting a Wolverine-best 14.800 on the still rings. Cameron, Kelley, and Santander were solid posting scores 14.450, 14.250 and 13.750, respectively.

The last rotation moved Michigan to the vault where Santander recorded Michigan's highest score for the second day in a row with a 15.350. Cameron closed out his competition with a 14.900 for a one-and-a-half twisting vault.

The Wolverines are back in regular-season action next Saturday (Feb. 13) in Cliff Keen Arena against the No. 11-ranked UIC Flames at 7 p.m.

Event-By-Event U-M Individual Scores

FloorIan Makowske              12.150Chris Cameron             15.250 (2)Kent Caldwell             15.250Thomas Kelley             14.400Mel Anton Santander       13.450
Pommel HorseChris Cameron             15.000 (2)Thomas Kelley             11.800Mel Anton Santander       14.750
Still RingsThomas Kelley             14.250Phillip Goldberg          14.800Mel Anton Santander       13.750Chris Cameron             14.450
VaultMel Anton Santander       15.350Chris Cameron             14.900Kent Caldwell             15.000Thomas Kelley             15.150
Parallel BarsChris Cameron             14.650Thomas Kelley             14.500Mel Anton Santander       13.650
High BarIan Makowske              14.350Chris Cameron             13.350Thomas Kelley             13.200Mel Anton Santander       14.100
All AroundChris Cameron             87.600 (3)Thomas Kelley             83.300Mel Anton Santander       85.050

N O T E S

• Junior Chris Cameron set a season high on the parallel bars (14.650). Cameron has scored 15.000 or better in all five of his floor exercise appearances this season.

• Junior Ian Makowske set a career high for the third time this season in the high bar, recording a 14.350.

• Fifth-year senior Kent Caldwell set a season best on the floor with a 15.250.

Contact: Scott Bregman (734) 763-4423