University of Oklahoma Athletics

Mossman: Did You Miss Horton?

Horton Honored at Cleveland Elementary

January 23, 2009 | Men's Gymnastics

By: Athletics Communications

Jan. 23, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. -- U.S. Olympian Jonathan Horton and OU head coach Mark Williams met with the students of Cleveland Elementary in Norman on Friday to celebrate the Sooner's accomplishments as a silver and bronze medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Horton and Williams met with all the children of Cleveland in an assembly to show clips of the Olympian's routines on rings and high bar while they both talked about their experiences with the team in Beijing. After the assembly each student got an opportunity take a picture with Horton.

"To come back to this has just been fantastic. It has been an amazing feeling to know that all these kids are inspired and motivated," said Horton. "It is overwhelming to know that so many people in the world look up to you just because you went to the Olympics and you don't realize it until you are back."

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, the 22-year old Houston, Texas, native won the silver medal in the men's high bar finals and he helped lead the U.S. men's gymnastics team to a bronze medal in the team finals. The U.S. finished just behind Japan, the silver medalist, and host country China, the gold medalist.

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Horton experienced how busy life after the Olympics can be for a silver and bronze medalist. He and other Olympians were a part of a tour that went to different cities around the U.S. to showcase their talents and skills.

"It is a special thing to have Jon recognized by Cleveland," said Oklahoma head coach Mark Williams. "He has been to Cleveland a number of times before and to feel like they were a part of his journey to the Olympic Games is pretty special."

Horton completed his outstanding collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma with 18 All-America honors and six individual national titles, while helping the Sooners win three NCAA National Championships during his four years in Norman.
 
Horton is the third gymnast in school history to be selected to the U.S. Olympic Team and first since Mike Wilson in 1980 and two-time gold medalist Bart Conner competed in the 1976, 1980, and 1984 Olympic Games.

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