DENVER - Olympian Alexander "Sasha" Artemev will be the Pioneer's guest of honor at the Burnsley Invitational on Friday at 7 p.m. at Hamilton Gymnasium as No. 18 Denver hosts Boise State, Southeast Missouri State and Seattle Pacific.

Artemev, who was also a guest of honor in 2009, will be the second Olympian welcomed by DU this season as Alicia Sacramone was the special guest at the Mile High Gymfest on Jan. 23.

"We're very excited to welcome Sasha back," said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. "The Burnsley Invitational is always a fantastic event and we are looking forward to a great meet with Boise State, SEMO and Seattle Pacific."

Tickets for the meet can be purchased by calling the DU Ticket Office at 303-871-2336. Tickets are also available on-line at www.DenverPioneers.com. Group tickets are available for those wishing to purchase 20 or more by calling Group Sales Manager Adam Sizemore at 303-871-2389.

Artemev, the husband of sophomore Brianna Artemev (Arvada, Colo.), trains at 5280 Gymnastics in Wheat Ridge, Colo. After being named an alternate to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Gymnastics Team, he replaced an injured Morgan Hamm as a team competitor just two days before competition began.

Artemev and his teammates went on to win the team bronze medal, and he qualified for the all-around and pommel horse finals. Artemev finished seventh on pommel horse and 12th in the all-around competition at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.