Christopulos and Phillips to Compete in the U.S. Classic

Nebraska men’s gymnasts Taylor Christopulos and Sam Phillips are set to compete at the inaugural U.S. Men’s Classic in Salt Lake Valley, Utah this Sunday, July 31. 

Christopulos and Phillips will join nearly 150 gymnasts from around the country, including multiple Olympians and World medalists, at the Maverik Center. The two Huskers are set to compete in the second men’s session on Sunday, starting at 7:30 p.m. (CT). FlipNow Powered by USA Gymnastics will livestream the men’s session Sunday on FlipNow.tv. 

Christopulos will enter his junior year at Nebraska this year. The Layton, Utah, native claimed two individual titles on vault while being named an Academic All-Big Ten selection during the 2022 season. He helped the Huskers to a second-place conference finish and a fourth-place national finish. In 2021, Christopulos was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the Nebraska Athletics Outstanding Male Newcomer. He was a four-time NCAA Rookie of the Week and a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Christopulos earned All-America honors while helping NU to a fourth-place finish at the 2021 NCAA Championships. 

Phillips will enter his senior season at Nebraska this year. The Woodland Hills, Calif., native earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors during the 2022 season after finishing sixth in the all-around competition at the Big Ten Championships. He claimed five individual titles last year and was named an Academic All-Big Ten Selection and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. In 2021, he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors after claiming the Big Ten bronze medal on high bar. Phillips has earned the Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award and is a six-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. 

The U.S. Classic marks the final opportunity for athletes to qualify for the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships which is set to take place in Tampa, Fla., in August. 

Podium training throughout the weekend will stream live on USA Gymnastics’ YouTube Channel. Christopulos and Phillips are set to practice on Friday, July 29 at 11 a.m. (CT).