Oklahoma No. 1 in Preseason Poll

NORMAN, Okla. The Oklahoma men's gymnastics team, coming off its third national title in four years, was voted No. 1 in the GymInfo Coaches' poll.

The Sooners received five first place votes followed by Illinois (4), Ohio State (4) and Stanford (1). OU has been the preseason No. 1 team in each of the last five seasons and ranked in the top five of the preseason poll over each of the last nine seasons.

OU was voted No. 1 prior to last season and went on to win the program's sixth national title in West Point, N.Y.

“As always we're extremely proud to be considered to be among the top teams and recognized by our fellow coaches,” said OU head coach Mark Williams. “We have a lot to do to live up this ranking, but I'm sure that the team will work hard to fulfill these expectations.”

Get in the O-Zone

This season, the Sooners return four All-Americans from last year's team. Sophomore Jonathan Horton headlines the group returning with five All-America honors alone (all-around, floor exercise, vault, still rings and high bar) and a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship on the still rings. One of two seniors on this year's squad, Jamie Henderson, returns after picking up All-America honors on the still rings and taking the MPSF Championship on the pommel horse.

Sophomores Taqiy Abudullah-Simmons (all-around and parallel bars) and Jake Messina (floor exercise) are the Sooners remaining All-Americans.

OU will be joined by six newcomers in 2006 including three former U.S. Junior National Team members. Wesley Aderhold, Chris Brooks and Jason Laughton all join the Sooners after spending time on the U.S. team.

The No. 1 Sooners open up the 2006 season with the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Jan. 13 and 14. OU will compete in its first home meet on Jan. 20 when the Air Force Academy comes to the McCasland Fieldhouse.

Oklahoma will host the 2006 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships April 6-8 at the Lloyd Noble Center.

The following is a complete list of the Top-10 as selected in the preseason by the coaches:

Team	First Place Votes	2004 Finish
1. Oklahoma	5	1
2. Illinois	4	3
2. Ohio State	4	2
4. California	-	5
5. Penn State	-	4
6. Michigan	-	6
6. Stanford	1	8
8. Minnesota	-	9
9. Iowa	-	7
10. Nebraska	-	10

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors