Young's Petition Approved: Henderson and Mueller Finish U.S. Championships

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Oklahoma junior Jamie Henderson and 2004 graduate Heath Mueller finished off their time at the U.S. Gymnastic's Championships in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday. Henderson improved upon his Wednesday score and finished 21st in the competition. Mueller finished off what has been a spectacular career with a 27th place finish in the all-around.

OU assistant coach Guard Young's petition was approved after he was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Championships due to an acute case of tendonitis in his achilles' tendon. Young's approval from the Men's Elite Committee gives him a spot at the U.S. Olympic Trials, slated for June 24-27 in Anaheim, Calif. Young will be among 17 of the United States best gymnasts competing for the six spots that will participate at this summer's Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Three additional spots will also be available on the training squad.

All-Around Results | Individual Event Results

"First off I just want to state how proud I am of Heath Mueller," said Oklahoma head coach Mark Williams. "For him to finish off his career at the U.S. Championships says a lot about what he has accomplished in this sport. He has been a part of two national championship teams and two runner-up squads serving as a tremendous asset to this program."

Mueller's 49.800 score was not his best in the all-around but combined with his 52.475 on Wednesday, Mueller finished in 27th place. His best individual score of the night came on the pommel horse where he scored a 8.925. Henderson improved upon his Wdnesday score (52.000) on Friday night with an impressive 53.625. Included within that tally was another drastic improvement on the pommel horse. On Wednesday, Henderson struggled on the apparatus with a 7.600 and scored over a point and a half higher tonight with a 9.225, to place him ninth. As usual, Henderson was again solid on the still rings with a 9.300 good for eighth, his highest individual apparatus score of the evening.

"Jamie (Henderson) finsihed fairly well tonight," said Williams. "As a sophomore this year he has positioned himself to have a great career in the sport. Next year you can expect him to be in the top ten in the country and he will definetly return this stage at the U.S. Championships with his skill. I am real proud of him and look forward to his future contributions in gymnastics."

For now, Guard Young has almost three weeks to prepare for the Olympic Trials and is sure to hit the gym as soon as his injury slows down.

"This is a great opportunity for Guard and one that is much deserved," added Williams. "We have a lot to do once we get back to Norman to get him ready for the trials."

Click here to find out more about the U.S. Gymnastics team and the Olympic Trials.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Young's Petition Approved: Henderson and Mueller Finish U.S. Championships

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