Sooners Complete U.S. Championships

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. The 2005 Visa U.S Men's Gymnastics Championships concluded Friday and two University of Oklahoma gymnasts remain in contention to be named to the U.S. Senior National Team. Senior Jamie Henderson and sophomore Jonathan Horton finished seventh and fifth, respectively, in the two-day combined all-around total.

Horton's all-around score of 53.75 on Friday night was the second-highest of the night behind all-around winner Todd Thornton's 54.000.

Friday night's score along with Wednesday's 50.250, gave Horton a two-day total of 104.000. Horton also managed to place fifth on the floor exercise (two-day combined total of 17.750) and fifth on the vault (18.800).

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Henderson who was sixth going into Friday night's competition compiled a total of 51.375 points in Friday night's competition for a two-day total of 102.475.

OU's third competitor, sophomore Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons, competed in only four events (pommel horse, still rings, parallel bars and high bar), but did manage to finish third on the parallel bars with a two-day total of 17.625. Abdullah-Simmons' 9.0 on Friday night was the night's second-highest score on the apparatus behind champion D.J. Bucher's 9.250.

“We are excited that all three athletes came to this competition and that all three competed well,” said OU head coach Mark Williams. “Taqiy did a good job considering the circumstances he was under. We were pleased with Jamie Henderson as he continues to improve and we will wait and see if he makes the National Team.

“In the end, Jonathan showed the heart of a true champion by bouncing back from Wednesday night's rough outing. We feel that after tonight's performance and having previously been a member of the U.S. National Team that he'll be selected once again.”

All-around champion Todd Thornton and runner-up David Sender automatically qualified for membership on the U.S. National Team with their finishes in the event. The Sooners and the rest of the field will have to wait until Saturday's announcement by the selection committee on if they have been selected to the newest edition of the U.S. Men's Gymnastics Senior National Team.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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