April 17, 2010
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Senior Noam Shaham (Kfar Saba, Israel) placed sixth in the high bar with a score of 14.400 at the individual event finals of the 2010 National Collegiate Championships on Saturday evening at Christl Arena on the host campus of the United States Military Academy. With the finish, Shaham earns his first career All-America honor in his final performance as a collegiate athlete.
Shaham just missed out on securing a second All-America accolade, finishing ninth in the still rings with a score of 14.750. Including Shaham's, Penn State gymnasts have earned 102 All-America honors since 1980, including 73 during head coach Randy Jepson's 18-year career.
Shaham's performances on Saturday evening cap a standout career for the Israeli national. Overcoming a series of injuries throughout his four years as a Nittany Lion, he developed into one of Penn State's most consistent and capable competitors. In 2010, Shaham competed in nine of 10 meets, earning 13 top three finishes and five titles, and was a key member of the Nittany Lion line-up in five events. He established a career high in the parallel bars versus Ohio State, scoring a 14.650, only to break in one week layer in a tri-meet with Minnesota and Temple, posting a 14.700.
Also an excellent student, Shaham is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was a CGA First Team All-American Scholar Athlete selection in 2009. He will graduate in 2010 with a degree in engineering.
Shaham has the rare distinction of having a high bar release named in his honor and officially recognized by the FIG. Dubbed "The Shaham," it involves performing a double back with one and a half twists then catching the bar with a mixed grip.