Legendre Wins Bronze in Japan

Nov. 17, 2008

NORMAN, Okla.--University of Oklahoma sophomore Steven Legendre was successful in his first meet as a member of the USA Men's Gymnastics Senior National Team at the Toyota Cup in Toyota City, Japan, on Nov 15-16.

The weekend was highlighted by Legendre's third-place finish on the vault during the last day of competition, good for a bronze medal. Legendre averaged a 15.825 on the vault after posting scores of 16.05 and 15.75. Daniel Popescu of Romania won the event with a 16.000 while his teammate, Alin Jivan, posted a 15.900.

“Steve did a great job competing,” said head coach Mark Williams. “Realistically, he had a chance to win both floor and vault.”

The Port Jefferson, N.Y., native also finished in the top six in the other events that he competed. Legendre finished fifth on the floor exercise and sixth on his high bar and parallel bars routines.

“I was pleased with Steve's overall readiness and his competitiveness with a strong field of gymnasts,” said added Williams. “It was exciting to see him travel halfway around the world and compete against some of the best athletes internationally and hold his own against them.”

The meet was not the first international completion for Legendre, who won the gold medal in 2007 Pan American Games. The Sooner has also experienced success at the last three Visa U.S. Championships and was named to the U.S. Senior National Team this past October.

Vault
1. Daniel Popescu, Romania, 16.000
2. Alin Jivan, Romania, 15.900
3. Steve Legendre, USA/Flower Mound, Texas/University of Oklahoma, 15.825

Floor exercise
1. Makoto Okiguchi, Japan, 15.750
2. Kohei Uchimura, Japan, 15.700
3. Guillermo Alvarez, USA/Denver/Team Chevron, 15.550
U.S. finish
5. Steven Legendre, Flower Mound, Texas/University of Oklahoma, 14.800 (tie)

High Bar
1. Kim Ji Hoon, Korea, 16.250
2. Hiroyuki Tomita, Japan, 15.850
3. Takuya Nakase, Japan, 15.800
U.S. Finish
6. Steve Legendre, USA/Flower Mound, Texas/University of Oklahoma, 14.600

Parallel Bars
1. Wang Guanyin, China, 16.350
2. Hiroyuki Tomita, Japan, 15.850
3. Yoo Won Chul, Korea, 15.550
U.S. Finishes
6. Steve Legendre, USA/Flower Mound, Texas/University of Oklahoma, 14.450
8. Guillermo Alvarez, USA/Denver/Team Chevron, 12.750

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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