Oct. 28, 2011
Event Finals
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Illini senior
Paul Ruggeri captured gold on high bar and silver on parallel bars on day two of individual event finals Friday afternoon at the 2011 Pan American Games.
"Whenever I'm at these competitions, I'm always really grateful," Ruggeri said. "When I was a little kid, I always wanted to be here. I worked so hard, but I never really thought it was possible. All that hard work is finally starting to pay off."
Ruggeri earned a 15.650 on high bar to secure the top spot on the podium. The three-time senior national team member edged Colombian Jossimar Calvo (14.825) and Puerto Rican Angel Ramos (14.625) to take home the second gold medal for the U.S. men's gymnastics team this week, as U.S. teammate Brandon Wynn won the rings title on Thursday.
Ruggeri also added a silver medal on parallel bars with a 14.825 to finish just behind Mexico's Daniel Corral (15.525) in a three-way tie for second place with Colombia's Jorge Giraldo and Puerto Rico's Luis Vargas. Meanwhile, Illini freshman C.J. Maestas competed in his second individual event final of the week, finishing seventh on high bar with a score of 14.175.
Ruggeri's hardware marks the second and third individual event medals for Illinois gymnasts at the 2011 games, as fellow Illini Maestas earned bronze on rings on Thursday. The Illini contributed three of the four individual medals earned by the U.S. men's team throughout the week and helped Team USA take bronze in the team competition on Tuesday.
Illini men's gymnastics coach and 2007 Pan American gold medalist Justin Spring coached Team USA in the Olympic-sanctioned event. The U.S. squad featured Ruggeri, Maestas, Illini senior Tyler Mizoguchi, Wynn, Donothan Bailey and Sho Nakamori.
