OU Beats Nebraska, Air Force Again

Jan. 20, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - The third-ranked Oklahoma men's gymnastics team claimed its second straight victory over No. 10 Nebraska and Air Force Sunday at the Bob Devaney Center in Lincoln, Neb. The Sooners scored a 349.700 to beat the second place Huskers (341.400). Air Force finished third with a 323.650. Oklahoma defeated both programs en route to a season-opening win at the Rocky Mountain Open, Jan. 12, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"We put together a pretty solid meet all the way through," head coach Mark Williams said. "I'm pleased with what we've done through our first two meets."

OU's Steven Legendre added to the stellar start to his freshman season, scoring an 87.650 to take his second consecutive all-around title. Junior Kyle McNamara, runner-up in the all-around to Legendre at last week's Rocky Mountain Open, also finished second on Sunday with an 83.750 total.

In addition to his all-around crown, Legendre was once again champion on the floor exercise, scoring a 15.450. The Port Jefferson, N.Y., native also finished third on the parallel bars (14.600) and high bar (14.900) and was fourth on the pommel horse with a 13.700.

Final Results

Also claiming event titles for the Sooners were junior Jason Laughton and freshman Bobby Shortle. Shortle, a walk-on, was the vault champion with a team season-best 15.900, while Laughton tied Nebraska's Kyle Shanahan (15.000) for first place on the high bar.

As a team, OU improved on its scores from last week on every event besides rings and placed first on floor (59.500), pommel horse (54.950), vault (62.550), p-bars (57.950) and high bar (58.950).

"I was pleased that we showed some improvement this week, especially on pommel horse and high bar," Williams said. "We're going to keep working to get ready for our home meet with Michigan which will be a big test for us."

The Sooners' home opener against No. 6 Michigan on Jan. 26 is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman.