Men's Gymnastics Makes History

March 15, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 1 Oklahoma men's gymnastics team easily defeated No. 5 Illiniois, 219.600-214.850, to extend its winning streak to 28 straight collegiate opponents, the longest in the nation, and record the first undefeated regular season for OU in 38 years of collegiate participation. OU improved to 12-0 on the season with the victory at Huff Hall on the Champagne campus.

"One of our goals was to end the season undefeated," said OU Head Coach Mark Williams. "It's a great accomplishment for the team. They were able to meet every challenge during the regular season. We competed very well on the road all season and have shown that we can consistenly score 220. That is significant for us because we have to travel for MPSF Championships and the NCAA's. We are pretty well prepared for the championship season."

The Sooners have defeated 14 straight road opponents.

Daniel Furney scored a career-best of 9.800 on the still rings and also turned in a 9.475 on high bar. Both scores landed the New Braunfels, Texas native in first place on the events. Furney, the No. 1 ranked all-arounder, only competed on three events.

OU excelled on the still rings with senior Brett Covey posting a 9.65, while freshman Jamie Henderson and Shannon Carrion impressed with scores of 9.575 and 9.45, respectively.

Junior Heath Mueller scored a career best in the all-around with a score of 53.900, while Carrion competed on all six events for the first time in his Sooner career scoring a 51.900.

"Heath did a great job," said Williams. "Shannon and him did the all-around and stepped up in the absence of Furney."

Senior Josh Landis continues to post world class scores on the pommel horse, most recently scoring a 9.55 and taking first place against the Fighting Illini.

With the regular season compete, the Sooners have a bye week before traveling to Lincoln, Neb., for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference Championships on March 28-29. OU has already qualified for the NCAA Championships, which will be hosted by Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., April 11-12. Oklahoma, the defending national champions, will attempt to be the second team in collegiate gymnastics history to run the table and finish an entire season with a perfect record.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors