Defending Champs Streak Into Dual With Huskers

Feb. 18, 2003

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Sooners Hope For Similar Results Against Huskers
After its most successful weekend of the season, No. 2 Oklahoma hosts a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation dual with No. 9 Nebraska Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., inside the Lloyd Noble Center. OU posted a season high 218.500 against No. 5 Iowa on Feb. 14., which ranks as the third-highest team and home score in the nation this season. The Sooners head into this weekend's dual riding a streak of 11 victories over the Huskers.

" I'd like to give a few guys a chance to compete that haven't been in the regular lineup," said OU Head Coach Mark Williams. "I want to see what some of our underclassmen can do in a home conference meet. Friday will also be an opportunity to give Daniel Furney a little bit of a rest. He probably won't compete in the all-around."

OU remains undefeated on the season at 7-0 and has defeated 23 consecutive collegiate opponents, the nation's longest streak. Oklahoma has also won 12 consecutive home meets and 19 of their last 20 dating back to the beginning of the 1999 season. OU's last home defeat came at the hands of Ohio State, who upset the Sooners 228.100-228.075 on Jan. 28, 2000.

Like OU, Nebraska is fresh off its best performance of the season, after posting a 212.350 at Ohio State this past weekend. Nebraska fell to OU at the Rocky Mountain Open 214.475-206.550 on Jan. 24. The Huskers also dropped a home dual to the Sooners, 217.550-210.550, on Feb. 1. Junior Steven Friedman scored a career-high of 53.65 in the all-around and finished second on the rings (9.35) at Ohio State.

Admission to the coed home dual meet is $5 for adults and $2 for children. The first 300 fans in attendance will receive free OU men's and women's gymnastics trading cards, with an autograph session immediately following the meet. For more information on tickets, call (800) 456-GoOU. For more information on OU men's gymnastics, visit www.soonersports.com.

Sooner Streaks

Defending your home floor is the mark of any good team. The Sooners have been exceptional since 1999 both home and away. OU has won 12 consecutive home meets and 19 of 20 in Norman since the beginning of the 1999 season. The Sooners aren't too shabby on the road either, winning 16 of 25 (excluding NCAA Championships) since 1999. Currently, OU had defeated its last 23 collegiate opponents, the nation's longest current streak. OU defeated every opponent remaining on the 2003 schedule during their National Championship run in 2002.

Weekly Notes
- Despite OU current streak against Nebraka, the Huskers lead the all-time dual series 28-24-1.
- Penn State remains in the NCAA's top spot with a two score average of 218.325. OU dropped to No. 3 with an average of 217.875, after Ohio State posted this year's highest score of 220.500 against Nebraska last weekend. The Buckeyes bumped the Sooners out of the No. 2 ranking, with an average of 218.175. California also entered its name into the national title race after scoring a 218.175 against arch rival Stanford, which landed the Golden Bears at No.
4. The rankings for the NCAA Championships are based on an average of highest home score, road score and conference championship score.
- While the Sooners are ranked behind Penn State and Ohio State in the NCAA polls, the numbers show that OU has the deepest squad of the three. OU currently has 22 competitors ranked in the top-20 on individual events (including all-around), while PSU and OSU have 19 apiece.
- OU defeated every opponent remaining on their 2003 schedule during the 2002 regular season.

Sooner Notes

Shannon Carrion - Coach Williams credited Carrion as the key to the Sooners season best performance against Iowa.

Brett Covey - Continued dominance on still rings, with four first-place finishes in five meets.

Daniel Furney - Furney will likely sit out a few events against Nebraska this weekend.

Michael Gehart - One of OU's most consistent competitors on vault and floor.

Josh Gore - Sophomore overshadowed by seniors despite top score on pommels and second place finish on high bar.

David Henderson - Ranked No. 9 in the country on still rings and No. 12 on parallel bars.

Jamie Henderson - Ranked No. 13 in NCAA on still rings.

Josh Landis - Tied career-high with 9.500 on floor (first place) and set season high with 9.000 on parallel bars.

Heath Mueller - Currently ranked No. 11 in all-around after third-place finish against Iowa.

James Myers - Did not compete at Nebraska or in home dual with Iowa.

Curtis O'Rorke - Freshman consistently competing on four events for Sooners.

Quinn Rowell - Scored season-high 9.050 on high bar against Iowa.

Jock Stevens - Has not competed since Rocky Mountain Open team finals.

Brian Trause - Likely side lined for the season with a torn ACL.

Coach's Points
Coach Williams on Nebraska- " I'd like to give a few guys a chance to compete that haven't been in the regular lineup. I want to see what some of our underclassmen can do in a home conference meet. We won't field our best team but the break will be good for a few of the guys. I don't expect us to score in the 220 range but I do expect to score around 217."

On Ohio State scoring 220 this past weekend- "Rah Bhavsar, who is a former world championship team member, competed on four events for the Buckeyes. I expected their scores to jump when he returned. They are putting things together and are getting to full strength. Right now it looks like NCAA's will be a real dog fight between Penn State, Ohio State and OU."

On freshman Curtis O'Rorke- "O'Rorke had a great junior career and I knew what he was capable of. When he first got here, he had a bit of trouble adjusting to the college schedule and getting used to the training. He is settling down and fulfilling the potential I have always seen in him. He could be a huge asset to us if he continues to produce throughout the season. If he continues to be a solid in the class room and as an athlete we definitely expect big things from him during his OU career."

Diaper Dandy
Since sitting out the season-opener at Michigan, freshman Curtis O'Rorke has been a staple of the Sooner lineup, most recently competing in four events against Iowa. O'Rorke has competed in over half of OU events since entering the lineup at the Rocky Mountain Open. Forty percent of O'Rorke's scores this season have been above 8.800, with an event average of 8.61.

Furney Making A Run At Nissen Award
Senior Daniel Furney has been one of the favorites for the 2003 Nissen Award since the Sooners won the National Championship last season. Furney has only solidified himself among the nation's best since the start of the season. The Senior from New Braunfel, Texas, is currently ranked No. 1 in the all-around, No. 1 on vault, No. 2 on parallel bars and No. 3 on high bar. Perhaps his most impressive accolade, Furney is the only NCAA gymnast to be ranked in the Top-20 on all six events.

Young Named To America Cup Roster
Oklahoma men's gymnastics assistant coach Guard Young was added to the U.S. roster that will host the 2003 VISA American Cup in Fairfax, Va. Young is one of four Americans competing in the field of eight gymnasts. The meet will be broadcast live on NBC, March 1 at 4 p.m.

"It has always been a dream of mine because this meet is such a prestigious event," said Young. "My expectations are to go and do what I normally do, which is to do my best and hit on my routines."

Young (Team Chevron-Oklahoma) is the final addition to the men's roster. Young, 25, also a two-time World Championships team member, finished third in the all-around at the 2002 U.S. National Championships. Young replaces Paul Hamm, who withdrew on Thursday due to a minor shoulder injury. Young will compete as an all-arounder.

The remainder of the U.S. squad is filled by 2001 VISA American Cup All-Around Champion Blaine Wilson, 2001 parallel bars World Champion Sean Townsend and 2003 Winter Cup all-around champion Brett McClure.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Defending Champs Streak Into Dual With Huskers

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