April 18, 2008
- Big Ten Network: Programming Schedule
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- gohawks.com
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
IOWA CITY –
University of Iowa men’s gymnastics Head Coach Tom Dunn announced that three gymnasts have recently signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa next fall. Jacob Swafford, Zach Cazabon, and Tayler Scharman join Blaine Klaczak, from Frankfort, IL and Lincoln-Way East H.S., who signed up last fall.
The first spring commitment came from Knoxville, TN, native Swafford. Last year, he was the Region 8 parallel bar champion, and in 2006, he was named Tennessee Gymnast of the Year. From 2003-07, he held the Tennessee State AA Champions title, and was a member of the of Region 8 team. He is currently recovering from shoulder surgery.
Next to commit to the Hawkeye lineup was Cazabon, from Brentwood, MO. He recently won the Missouri State all-around title for the fourth-straight year, and was second in the all-around at the 2008 Region 3 meet. In 2006 and 2007 he was third all-around in the Region which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, Kansas and Arkansas. Cazabon also won the pommel horse and parallel bar titles in 2008 Region 3 and competed at the U.S. Championships in 2006.
The third new member is Scharman of Salt Lake City, UT. Scharman is a former Jr. National Team Member (2004-2005) and has won the Utah State all-around title 11 consecutive years. He also won the Region 9 championship three times, and has been on the regional team six times. In 2007 and 2008, he took home first place on parallel bars in the Junior Division at the Pacific Coast Classic.
Both Cazabon and Scharman will compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships May 8-11 in Battle Creek, MI.
“It is always hard to replace seniors with freshmen, but I’m excited because all the guys are excited to work hard, to be good students at the University of Iowa and to help the Hawkeyes succeed,” said Coach Dunn. “They all have strengths that will contribute immediately, but what I really like is their collective eagerness to be a part of our program, the Big Ten and NCAA Gymnastics.”
Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.