Mike Racanelli | |
---|---|
Country represented | United States |
Born | October 20, 1970 |
Discipline | Men's artistic gymnastics |
College team | Ohio State Buckeyes (1987-90) |
Mike Racanelli is an American retired gymnast. His specialty was floor exercise, where he had an expressive style.[1][2]
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.[5]
In 1989 Racanelli won gold on the floor exercise at the U.S. National Championships[8] and bronze in the all-around.[9] That year, he was also a member of the U.S. World Championships team.[10][11]
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.[12]
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.[2][8] In August, he won another floor gold, at the Pan American Games.
In 1992, Racanelli did not participate in Nationals or Olympic Trials.[13]
In 1995, Racanelli finished 16th overall at Nationals.[14]
In 1996, at Nationals, Racanelli finished fourth on pommel horse and 6th on vault.[15] His all-around score was 17th. Only the top 14 were invited to Olympic Trials.[16]