USA Gymnastics Names Men's National Team

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 15, 2009 - 2008 Olympic medalists Jonathan Horton of Houston, Texas, who just won the U.S. all-around title, and Alexander Artemev of Lakewood, Colo., headline the U.S. Men's Team for the 2009 World Gymnastics Championships, Oct. 13-19, at the O2 in London, England. This year's World Championships features competition in the all-around and individual events only.

In addition to Horton and Artemev, the members of the World Team are: Steven Legendre of Flower Mound, Texas/University of Oklahoma; Danell Leyva of Miami/Universal Gymnastics; Tim McNeill of Falls Church, Va./University of California - Berkeley; and David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill./shonakamori.com. The alternates are: Jake Dalton of Sparks, Nev./Nevada; Wesley Haagensen of Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Olympic Training Center; and Daniel Ribeiro, Chestnut Ridge, N.Y., University of Illinois.

Horton, who trains at Cypress Gymnastics, and Artemev, who trains at 5280 Gymnastics, were both members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that won the team bronze medal in Beijing. Horton also claimed the silver medal for the horizontal bar at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Artemev, who did not compete in the Visa Championships because he was injured, petitioned to the team and must demonstrate competitive readiness at the Senior National Team Camp in September.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.