Gymnastics Tops Texas

Jan. 31, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 1 Oklahoma men's gymnastics team claimed its third straight victory by winning all six events over the University of Texas club team on Saturday in front of 958 fans at the Howard McCasland Field House.

The Sooners scored a 349.050 to best the Longhorns (304.950) in the home opener.

"It was a great competition to have with our rivals," said head coach Mark Williams. "I was pretty happy with the competition and with the crowd on hand. Overall, we came up with a good team score and I am happy to have the first home meet out of the way and come out of it healthy."

The Sooners dominated their Red River rivals by also claiming all six individual event titles. Senior co-captain Chris Brooks led the way and posted a school-record 16.450 on vault, topping the old mark of 16.400, and finished first on the high bar with a 15.100.

Final Results | Gymnastike |Photo Gallery

OU started strong with a 57.650 on floor exercise as sophomore Steven Legendre claimed the event title with a 15.500. Russell Czeschin came in second with a score of 14.900.

The Sooners extended their lead during the second rotation as Corey English scored a team-best 14.500 on pommel horse and Steven Legendre posted a career-high 14.100.

The sweep was completed in the remaining rotations with Kyle McNamara finishing first on still rings with a 14.900 and Legendre scoring a team-best 15.200 on parallel bars.

In addition, Anthony Naddour scored a 13.650 on floor exercise in his Sooner debut and later added a 14.150 on pommel horse and a 14.450 on still rings.

"He did a great job on his routines," said Williams. "With only a week and a half to prepare, he did an amazing job. As far as stepping up, being consistent and doing what he was asked to do, he is off to a great start."

Following the home opener, select Sooners will make the trip to Las Vegas to compete in the Winter Cup (Feb 5-7). An annual individual event that helps determine the participants at the U.S. Visa Championships. Oklahoma returns to team action on Feb. 21 against Iowa.

The meet will get underway at 7 p.m. at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman.

The Sooners' meet with the Hawkeyes marks "Cleveland Elementary Night." Students, parents and teachers will pack the Howard Mc¬Casland Field House as the annual event is part of a "Partners in Education" program with Cleveland Elementary.

Oklahoma Event Scores
Floor Exercise (57.650)
Pommel Horse (56.650)
Still Rings (57.850)
Vault (63.550)
Parallel Bars (58.000)
High Bar (55.350)

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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