Oklahoma's Todd Bishop Wins Second National Title

April 24, 1999

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma senior All-American and 1999 Nissen-Emery Award winner Todd Bishop earned his second consecutive national title on the horizontal bar with a score of 9.90 at the NCAA Individual Championships held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb., tonight. Bishop's 9.9375 on the horizontal bar at last year's NCAA Championships resulted in his first horizontal bar national title.

Bishop received the first perfect 10 in Oklahoma men's gymnastics history this season at home against Nebraska and later posted two additional perfect scores at the Lobo Invitational and at the NCAA West Regional. He has been ranked first nationally on the horizontal bar seven weeks out of the season, including currently.

"I couldn't be more excited to bring another national championship back to Oklahoma," said Bishop. "I've had the greatest career and experience at Oklahoma."

"I think it's fitting into his career," said OU head coach Greg Buwick. "He's definitely the best guy on the high bar, but it's a lot harder to defend a national title than just come in and win one like he did last year."

Bishop tied for second on the parallel bars with a score of 9.775 and also placed fifth on pommel horse, scoring a 9.6625. Bishop accepted his fifth-place pommel horse award as well as his horizontal bar award from OU assistant coach and 1991 Nissen Award recipient Jarrod Hanks.

Sophomore Steve Van Etten competed in the floor exercise finals after a qualifying score of 9.80 during event preliminaries on Thursday night. Van Etten earned All-America status after placing sixth in the event with a score of 9.675.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma's Todd Bishop Wins Second National Title

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