UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; September 12, 2006 - Penn State men's gymnastics assistant coach Kevin Tan has been selected to captain the U.S. National Team when it participates in the 2006 World Championships from Oct. 14-22 at NRGi Arena in Aarhus, Denmark. Tan was one six athletes chosen by head coach Mark Williams from among a roster of 15 world-class athletes who will represent the United States in the international competition.

Competing as a member of Team Chevron, Tan qualified for the U.S. National Team by capturing first place in the still rings at the 2006 Visa Championships held in St. Paul, Minn. in mid-August.

A member of Penn State's 2004 NCAA championship team, Tan was the Nittany Lions' first back-to-back NCAA champion on the still rings, earning titles in 2003 and 2004. A six-time All-American, Tan is entering his second season as an assistant on Penn State head coach Randy Jepson's staff.

During his senior year in 2004, Tan was one of the premier collegiate gymnasts in the nation, qualifying as a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award. He was an all-conference selection, winning both the still rings and parallel bars crowns at the 2004 Big Ten Championships. His still rings title was his third-consecutive conference championship in the event. During his collegiate career, Tan never finished lower than third place on the rings at a Big Ten Championship.

Also selected to compete for the United States at the World Championships were Alexander Artemev, Guillermo Alvarez, Jonathan Horton, Justin Spring and Clay Strother. Alternates are David Durante and David Sender.