Sooner Assistant Coach Guard Young Finishes Third At USA Gymnastics National Championships

Aug. 10, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - For the fifth time in his amateur career OU Assistant Coach Guard Young has qualified for the USA National Team. With a combined all around score of 109.150, Young finished 3rd overall defeating defending 2001 National Champion Sean Townsend, who finished fifth. Young was in fourth place after the preliminary round on Wednesday evening.

Paul Hamm won the competition with a score of 114.375, followed by former Olympian Blain Wilson (112.000). Young, who competed collegiately at Brigham Young University has been an assistant coach under Oklahoma Head Coach Mark Williams for the last two years. The Sooners won the 2002 National Collegiate Championship aftering finishing second in 2001.

"I am thrilled that Guard competed as well as he did. It is outstanding for him and the Sooner family." said Head Coach Mark Williams. "He was 100 percent consistent throughout the entire contest."

The third place finish was the best of Young's career on the national level, especially impressive since he had made the team five previous times. It is also the highest finish for any Sooner related athlete since Bart Connor won the national meet in the late 70's. The top 14 competitors, including Young, will travel to China for a dual meet beginning August 19th and running through the 24th.

Current Sooners David Henderson and Josh Gore finished 18th and 23rd respectively. Henderson was in 14th place after the preliminary round ( with the top 14 qualifying) but he was unable to duplicate his score on Friday night.

"Josh Gore hit on all 12 of his events and that will spring him into his sophomore season in Norman, " said Williams. "Henderson was solid overall, he missed on a couple events and it cost him. He exceeded everyone's expectations though and this should be an indication of great things to come from him in the collegiate season this spring."

For more information on the Oklahoma Men's Gymnastics Team check www.soonersports.com, for updated scores on the USA Gymnastics National Championship check www.usa-gymnastics.org.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooner Assistant Coach Guard Young Finishes Third At USA Gymnastics National Championships

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