Young Completes Day One At Olympic Trials

NORMAN, Okla. Assistant men's gymnastics coach Guard Young finished day one at the 2004 U.S.A. Olympic Trials with a solid all-around score of 55.850. Young's tally was the eighth highest of the day among the 17 competitors and now he awaits Saturday's finals to take his shot at making the 2004 U.S.A. Olympic squad. The finals are set for 3 p.m. (PT) on Saturday and will be rebroadcast on July 3 by NBC Sports.

“I feel like I had a pretty good meet,” Young said after the competition. “I had one mistake on floor but other than that my scores were solid across the board. It was very exciting out there and I am pleased with the results and look forward to Saturday.”

Young finished in the top-five in four events, included in that series was his highest finish of the day, a 9.500 on the parallel bars which was good enough to tie for fourth place. Young also tied for fifth on the vault with a 9.500 and claimed sole possession of fifth place on the pommel horse and still rings with scores of 9.500 and 9.375 respectively. The assistant coach rounded things off with a 9.000 on floor and 8.900 on the high bar.

Complete All-Around Results

“Guard did a great job out there today,” said Oklahoma head coach Mark Williams. “With the exception of his one mistake on floor he positioned himself near the top of the competition. We will practice on Friday in preparation for the finals on Saturday and hope for the best. Based on his scores from last night he easily ranks among the top-thirty gymnasts in the world, so he is still in the thick of things for the finals. It should be a very exciting and competitive meet and we are honored to be a part of it.”

Young is one of three gymnasts competing at the trials after missing the U.S. Championships due to injury. Unlike the rest of the 14 competitors, Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson and Young will have to count their full scores at the trials after having petitions approved by the committee to compete this weekend. The rest of the field, including day one leader Paul Hamm, will count 40 percent from the U.S. Championships and 60 percent from this weekend's trials.

Hamm posted a 57.600 on Thursday night and so far 30 percent of that tally counts towards his current trials' total of 40.420. The rest of his combined total comes from his preliminary and final score at the U.S. Championships held earlier this month in which 20 percent was taken out of both those totals to add up to the current 40.420. Currently, Young stands at 27.925 or 30 percent of his all-around score of 55.850.

The gymnasts that finish first and second are assured spots to represent the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games and the remaining four athletes, alternates and the training squad will be selected by the Olympic Selection Committee.

Click Here for more information, including score updates, on the U.S. Olympic Trials.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Young Completes Day One At Olympic Trials

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