Sooners' Streak Ends at No. 1 UM

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A sold-out Cliff Keen Arena crowd of 1,706 saw the third-ranked Oklahoma men's gymnastics squad fall to the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines Saturday night on the campus of the University of Michigan by a score of 221.600-218.000. The defeat broke a streak of 37 consecutive match wins for the Sooners, dating back to the 2005 NCAA Championship qualifier.

"I thought it was a tremendous environment for a gymnastics meet,” OU head coach Mark Williams said. “Filled with blue and gold, it certainly made it a great competition and we were thrilled to be a part of it. I feel like the better team won tonight and realize we still have work to do.

"Sometimes it's not a bad thing to see early where you stand against the nation's best," Williams said. I think we are still a good team and have the ingredients to reach all of our goals for the season. There are guys that really need to come in and step up and be committed to the team in ways that help us. I don't think we're quite there yet.”

Final Scores | 2007 Media Guide

Opening the night on the pommel horse, the Sooners were led by their lone senior, Brian Carr, who posted a 9.00 in the fourth position. It was a season-high for the Mandeville, La., native, who bested his 8.50 from last week's home opener. Oklahoma, with a score of 34.100, posted a team season high on the apparatus by a full point, but it was not enough to overcome the fast start of the home squad, which opened on the floor with a 37.900 behind a 9.80 from Scott Bregman.

Oklahoma moved to the floor and posted a team score of 37.900, matching the Wolverines strong effort on the apparatus. The Sooners were led by All-American Jonathan Horton's 9.80. Sophomore Wes Adherhold's 9.60 marked a career high for the Tarpon Springs, Fla., native.

Moving to the vault, OU gained ground on the Wolverines after scoring a 36.00 to UM's 35.35. It was one of two events the Sooners would win on the night (p-bars). The Sooners were led by Horton's 9.10. Garrett Carr, Ian Jackson, Kyle McNamara and Russell Czeschin posted respective scores of 8.90, 9.05, 8.75 and 8.95. Jackson's 9.05 marked a career high for the freshman on the apparatus.

On the rings, the Sooners crushed their previous season high of 35.850 with a 37.200. Oklahoma rounded out the event with scores of 9.30, 9.55 and 9.45 from Jackson, Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons and Horton. With his 8.900 on the rings, Jason Laughton joined Jackson and Abdullah-Simmons in marking new career highs, while Joseph Weaver's 8.850 tied his previous best.

The high bar saw Brian Carr post a 9.20. The Sooners lost the momentum they gained on the vault and rings, losing a full two points to the Wolverines going into the final rotation.

Finishing the night on the parallel bars, Horton wrapped up the all-around title with a 9.65. Laughton and Aderhold both posted career highs with respective scores of 9.10 and 9.05. Abdullah-Simmons provided another strong showing for the Sooners with his 9.60.

Saturday night's dual marked the fourth time OU has faced the No.1 team on the road since 2004. Oklahoma had won the previous three.

“I think this defeat is good for us,” said Horton. “Coming off an undefeated season there is a time you become too confident. When you hit a low like tonight's loss, it fires you up and you realize you have more work to do. It's time to get back in the gym and realize that with a positive attitude and consistent training, we can still attain all of our goals including a third straight national championship.”

The Sooners return to action Saturday, Feb. 2 when they travel to Lincoln, Neb., to take on MPSF conference rival Nebraska.