Two Time Champs Set 2004 Schedule

NORMAN, Okla. With its 2004 schedule set, the two time defending NCAA Champion Oklahoma mens gymnastics team has over six months to prep for a run at a third consecutive title. The schedule is similar to the Sooners slate in 2003, highlighted by the season opening Rocky Mountain Open and three home meets spread over three months. Eight of OU opponents were among the 12 teams at NCAA Championships in 2003 and four were in final six during the team finals with OU.

"The 2004 schedule provides us with a good balance of home and away challenges," said OU head coach Mark Williams. "We face a number of teams from last years top 10, which will allow us to prepare for the postseason."

The Sooners begin the season in traditional fashion with their annual appearance in the Rocky Mountain Open hosted by the Air Force Academy, Jan. 16-17. Air Force visits Norman the following weekend, Jan. 23, for the defending champs home opener in the Lloyd Noble Center.

Oklahoma heads back out on the road for a dual with Iowa (Jan. 31) before heading to Las Vegas for the individual only Winter Cup (Feb. 5-7). The highlight of the road schedule is OUs trip to Columbus, Ohio to renew its rivalry with Ohio State on Feb. 13. The Sooners finished the regular season road schedule with meets at Stanford and Nebraska on Feb. 28 and March 12, respectively.

OU hosts a double-dual with Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska on Feb. 21, which is scheduled to be held in the Howard McCasland Field House. Senior night (March 5) will be a preview of NCAAs with championship host Illinois, who will be a preseason favorite, dualing with the Sooners.

The beginning of championship season is marked by a second trip to Palo Alto, Calif., for the MPSF Championships. Illinois welcomes the collegiate gynmastics community to Champaign for the 2004 NCAA Championships, April 2-4.

"We have opportunities to go out and see the best teams in the country and prepare ourselves for a third run at a national championship," said Williams.

Members of the mens gymnastics team will compete in the USA Championships Qualifer on May 8, which will be held at a location still to be determined. USA Championships follow June 2-5 in Nashville, Tenn.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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