Horton Produces at Olympic Trials

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Jonathan Horton had a solid performance at the U.S. Olympic Team Gymnastics Trials finishing in second place overall after day one of the Men's All-Around Finals at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday night.

With Thursday's performance, coupled with his runner-up finish at the Visa Championships in May, Horton is the overall leader with 14 others fighting to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics in August. While the Olympic Trials account for 60 percent of the committe's selection, the Visa's represent the remaining 40 percent.

The weighted standings for Olympic selection, which combines the results from both the Visa Championships and U.S. Olympic Team Trials, are: Horton in first with 63.255, Hagerty in second at 63.165 and Artemev in third at 62.825. Bhavsar is fourth with 62.800.

Horton ended Thursday night with an all-around score of 90.550, just behind Alexander Artemev, who is in first place with an overall tally of 90.650. Horton took second place on the rings with a score of 15.800, and tied for third place in the floor exercise and high bar with scores of 15.000 and 15.200, respectively.

"I felt great tonight," Horton said. "I thought I had a pretty good competition and got through every routine. But I know I can do better. I am looking forward to day two of the competition. I need to go out on Saturday and be consistent and give an overall good performance to give myself a chance to make the U.S. Olympic Team.

Oklahoma men's gymnastics head coach, Mark Williams, who is with Horton in Philadelphia, agrees.

"Jon had a good day," said Williams. "I am real pleased with his performance. He was great on the high bar which is an event he has been struggling with. But he has worked real hard to improve and tonight he got it done."

Photos and Results | Bound for Beijing

Despite Thursday's solid showing, no spot on the Olympic team is solidified yet. The next phase of the competition will be on Saturday, June 21 for day two of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

In order to become one of six members of the U.S. Olympic Team, each gymnast must be at their very best on both days to impress the U.S. Olympic Selection Committee.

"Jon still has some things to work on", added Williams. "He needs to be a little cleaner with his routines and work on his vault and floor exercise. If he can have another good performance on Saturday, like he did tonight, then I believe he has put himself in a position to realize his dream of making the Olympic team. "

The Men's All-Around Finals are scheduled to air live on NBC on Saturday June 21 at 4:30 p.m. (ET). USA gymnastics will have complete coverage of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, including news, photos, scores and quick hit commentary, on their official website, usa-gymnastics.org.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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