'U' student, alumnus qualify to represent U.S. as members of trampoline gymnastics team

Josh Vance jumped through another hoop in his effort be a participant in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Vance, a second year MSU osteopathic medical student, qualified for the trampoline gymnastics National Team along with teammate and longtime synchronized trampoline partner Keith Douglas, a 1998 MSU graduate.

Both men will represent the United States at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Germany during October.

Vance said the week at the U.S. National Championships in Sacramento, Calif., was a huge success, not only for him, but for his teammates as well.

"It was funny, because I broke the record for the individual double mini," Vance said. "Then Keith went next and broke the record that I had just set."

In the event, Vance received the silver medal and Keith captured the gold medal. The U.S. team won the gold medal in the double mini as well.

Vance and Douglas also finished third in the synchronized trampoline event and Vance placed sixth in the individual trampoline event.

Both said they bring out the best in each other while performing.

"Keith and I push each other to do our best, which is a big reason for our success," Vance said.

In Germany, Vance expects to be competing in the double mini event. He said despite the pressure, he feels confident he and Douglas can become World Champions. To represent the United States in the 2004 Olympics, Vance must place in the top 16 in the country at the world championships.

J. Ryan Mulcrone