Williams adds Jackson to 2006 Class

NORMAN, Okla. Just six days after winning the program's seventh national title, University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics head coach Mark Williams announced the signing of Ian Jackson of Harrisburg, Pa. Jackson, who was named the 2006 Pennsylvania Senior Gymnastics Athlete of the Year, is a member of the 2006 Pennsylvania State Championship team and runner-up in the competition's all-around (53.7).

Jackson also won the high bar (8.8) and still rings (9.1) titles at the Pennsylvania State Championships, while finishing third on the pommel horse (8.8) and vault (9.9).

“Ian Jackson is an exciting and talented young gymnast,” said Williams. “He has proven to be a very solid all-around gymnast. We look forward to him joining our returning national champion gymnasts and we expect him to help us maintain our level of championship gymnastics.”

Jackson, who trains at the Artistic Sports Academy Plus under head coach Barry Mattern, took titles in the all-around (50.1) and on the vault (9.65) at the 2006 Blackjack Nationals in Henderson, Nev. Jackson has also had success at the Junior Olympic Nationals, finishing 12th in the all-around in 2005. That same year, Jackson finished fifth on the vault (9.25) and seventh on the pommel horse (9.4).

At the 2004 J.O. Nationals, Jackson took the vault (9.15) title in the 14-15 year old age group.

Jackson joins Covington, La., native Corey English to form the OU men's gymnastics class of 2006. English, who signed in November, is a former club teammate of current Sooners Brian and Garrett Carr.

Jackson attends Central Dauphin High School and is the son of Derek Jackson and Theresa Simms.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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