Sept. 14, 2011
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illini senior Tyler Mizoguchi will join freshman C.J. Maestas and redshirt senior Paul Ruggeri in representing the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games, Oct. 24-28 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mizoguchi was originally chosen as an alternate but will now replace injured Glen Ishino in the international event.
"Tyler has competed well for the national team all summer," Illini head coach Justin Spring said. "I think this is another great opportunity for him to go out and represent Team USA and Illinois. I think it's super-exciting that half of the Pan American team is from the University of Illinois."
The three-time All-American and reigning NCAA champion on parallel bars is no stranger to international competition. Over the summer, Mizoguchi captured gold on parallel bars and bronze on pommel horse while helping the U.S. to a second-place finish in the Puerto Rico Cup.
The six-member 2011 Pan American Games Team will be coached by Spring, a former Pan Am gold medalist, and will include Mizoguchi, Maestas, Ruggeri, Donothan Bailey, Sho Nakamori and Brandon Wynn.
