Williams Names Captains

NORMAN, Okla. University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics coach Mark Williams has named Jamie Henderson and Jonathan Horton captains for the upcoming 2006 season. The two represent six of the nine All-America honors returning from the 2005 season in which the Sooners captured their third national title in four years.

Henderson enters his senior season for the Oklahoma club after garnering All-America honors on the still rings and capturing an individual championship on the pommel horse at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships. Henderson, who was recently named to the U.S. Senior National Team and was the U.S. team's alternate at the Pan American Championships, also picked up All-America honors on the still rings in 2003 and 2004.

“Jamie Henderson has been with this program as long as anybody else on this team,” said Williams. “That, combined with being a three-time All-American, a senior and a member of the U.S. Senior National Team, led me to my decision to select him as one of this season's captains.

“He has always been a role model as far as the amount of time he spends working in the gym. This season we will rely on him to help guide the team, not only with his actions, but by being a vocal leader as well.”

Horton returns for his sophomore season after picking up a school-record five All-America honors on the floor exercise, vault, still rings, high bar and in the all-around. The Houston, Texas native also took the MPSF championship on the still rings. Currently, Horton is a member of the U.S. Senior National Team for the second time in his career and recently led the U.S. team to gold at the Pan American Championships by finishing a team-best fifth in the all-around.

“Jonathan Horton was probably our most valuable gymnast last year,” added Williams. “He picked up five All-America honors, returned to the U.S. Senior National Team, was a member of the NCAA's top team as a freshman and has now competed internationally. These are quite a number of accomplishments for somebody who is only in their second year of college.

“I feel like he is somebody who has earned a leadership role as a sophomore and will be a huge part of this team's success. I can see him leading this team for three straight years.”

The Sooners open the season Jan. 13-14, when they travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. to participate in the Rocky Mountain Open.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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