Mike Racanelli

Mike Racanelli is a retired American gymnast. His specialty was floor exercise, where he had an expressive style.^[1][2]

College career

Racanelli competed for Ohio State University, where he was a 10-time All-American.^[3] His coach at OSU was Peter Kormann, who had medalled in the 1976 Olympics. In 1990, Racanelli won the Nissen Award, the "Heisman" of gymnastics,^[4] as well as the Big Ten Medal of Honor.^[5] At the 1990 NCAA championships, Racanelli won gold in the all around and floor exercise. Also, he qualified to finals on all 6 apparatus that year, the only athlete to do so.^[6][7] Racanelli is a member of Ohio State's Men's Varsity "O" Hall of Fame.^[8]

Elite career

In 1989 Racanelli won gold on the floor exercise at the U.S. National Championships^[9] and bronze in the all-around.^[10] That year, he was also a member of the U.S. World Championships team.^[11][12]

In 1990, Racanelli won floor exercise at the Chunichi Cup, becoming the first American since 1984 to win an event gold. Later that year, he competed at the U.S. Olympic Cup.^[13]

In 1991, Racanelli, recovering from a shoulder injury, finished only 11th all around at Nationals, but he won gold on floor. Later that year, he won floor gold at the World University Games.^[14][15] In August, he won another floor gold, at the Pan American Games.

In 1992, Racanelli did not participate in Nationals or Olympic Trials.^[16]

In 1995, Racanelli finished 16th overall at Nationals.^[17]

In 1996, at Nationals, Racanelli finished fourth on pommel horse and 6th on vault.^[18] His all-around score was 17th. Only the top 14 were invited to Olympic Trials.^[19]

References