OU Men's Gymnasts Ranked No. 1 in Latest Poll

Feb. 6, 2001

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team has moved into the No.1 ranking nationally in the lastest poll released by the Gymnastics Information Center. Ranked third in the preseason, the Sooners ranking average of 214.575 is more thantwo points higher than second-ranked Michigan (212.500). Ohio State (211.100), Illinois (210.325) and California (209.700) round out the top five. This is the first time OU has been the nation's top-ranked team since winning the national championship in 1991.

In addition to being ranked No. 1 in total team score, the Sooners lead the nation in the floor exercise and parallel bars. OU is also ranked fourth on the pommel horse, second on the still rings, sixth on the vault and third on the horizontal bar. Several gymnasts are ranked in the top 10 in individual events as well, including team captain Brendan O'Neil who is the nation's top performer on the floor.

"We're extremely excited to be ranked No. 1," said OU Head Coach Mark Williams. "There's a two-point differential between us and the team in second. Our goal is to maintain that ranking throughout the NCAA Championships and finish No. 1. It's been 10 years since we were last No.1 and it would be nice to repeat the feat we accomplished that year and win the national championship."

OU will not participate in team competition this weekend, but Sooners Daniel Furney, Shannon Carrion and Jock Stevens will compete in the Winter Cup Feb. 9-10 in Las Vegas. The team will return to action on Feb. 18 when it travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face second-ranked Michigan and Massachussets.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Men's Gymnasts Ranked No. 1 in Latest Poll

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