Nov. 16, 2007

BERKELEY - Glen Ishino, one of the top recruits in the country, will be joining the California men's gymnastics team for the 2009 season after signing a National Letter of Intent, head coach Barry Weiner announced today.

"Glen is a blue-chip recruit that was highly sought after," Weiner said. "We're thrilled that he chose Berkeley."

Ishino finished second at the 2007 Junior Olympic Nationals in the all-around competition and took fifth on floor exercise. At the 2007 U.S. championships, he earned a position on the U.S. Junior National team after taking second in the all-around and finishing in first on rings.

Beginning Nov. 20, Ishino will be representing the United States at the Junior Pan American Games in Guatemala. Ishino, a senior at Foothill High School, trains at SCATS Gymnastics Huntington Beach and is coached by Grigor Chalikyan and Albert Avchian.

"Initially, Glen will help us a great deal on the high bar, parallel bars, pommel horse and vault," Weiner said. "As he matures, he'll help us on all events. Glen's going to come in and have an immediate impact."

The Golden Bears begin their 2008 campaign Fri., Jan. 18 against rival Stanford at Haas Pavilion.