Shane Wiskus to remain at USOPTC to train for Olympics, will miss start of NCAA season
The University of Minnesota men’s team announced Monday that senior star Shane Wiskus will not be competing with the Gophers when his team opens its season this Saturday, Jan. 30, against Iowa.
Wiskus has elected to remain at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC), where he has been training with fellow U.S. teammates and Olympic hopefuls.
The USOPTC’s quarantine rules prevent Wiskus from traveling back and forth between the center in Colorado Springs and Minnesota. Such rules require an individual to quarantine for seven days upon their arrival at the USOPTC, which would make balancing both competing for Minnesota and training for the Olympics nearly impossible.
The USOPTC just recently reopened earlier this month, with Team USA’s Sam Mikulak and Eddie Penev both documenting their return to the facility.
It seems Wiskus may not rejoin the team at all this season as he trains for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Minnesota press release announcing the news stated, “If possible, Wiskus will rejoin the Gophers near the end of the season to compete for the Maroon and Gold.”
If Wiskus does not compete for the Gophers this season, he might opt to transfer and use his last year of NCAA eligibility competing elsewhere – as this is the final season for the Minnesota men’s program after being cut last year – or he could choose to turn pro.
“Competing in the Olympics has always been a dream of mine and remaining in Colorado best allows me to chase that dream,” said Wiskus. “I will fully support my Minnesota teammates from a distance this year and look forward to possibly rejoining the team later this season.”
“We will miss Shane in the lineup, but we support his decision to remain in Colorado and train for the upcoming Olympics,” said Minnesota head coach Mike Burns. “The athletic department and our program will continue to do everything possible within NCAA and Big Ten rules to assist him this season. We will gladly welcome him back if he is able to compete for Minnesota later this season.”
Wiskus has been the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year all three of his seasons with Minnesota. He will continue to attend classes virtually and is set to graduate this spring with a degree in business and marketing education.
