Sooners Complete First Day at Winter Cup

Feb. 4, 2010

LAS VEGAS – University of Oklahoma gymnasts Jacob Dalton, Steven Legendre and Alex Naddour, and former OU All-American Chris Brooks, turned in solid performances during Thursday's qualification round of the 2010 Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev., on Thursday and are expected to advanced to Saturday's event finals at the Las Vegas Sports Center.

All four OU gymnasts appear to be comfortably inside the all-around cut, which will be compiled after the third session is complete later tonight. The top 42 gymnasts, according to the Men's Program Committee's points ranking system, will advance to the final competition, along with the top three gymnasts on each apparatus. The all-around and individual event champions will be determined via a combined two-day score.

The best Oklahoma performance of the day belonged to Brooks. The former Sooner captain currently leads on vault (16.300), parallel bars (14.800) and high bar (15.600) through the first two qualifying sessions. The Houston, Texas, native also placed second on the rings with a score of 14.650 to finish first in the all-around standings in the second session with an 88.300 total.

“I am ecstatic about Chris's performance tonight,” said head coach Mark Williams. “His goal is to compete internationally for the U.S. and he showed tonight that he is determined to attain that goal.”

Freshman Alex Naddour also began the competition well, placing in the top 10 on floor (14.450), pommel horse (15.150) and vault (15.500). Naddour finished the session in third place in the all-around with a score of 85.300.

“Alex did a great job competing for the first time this year in the all-around,” said Williams. “He put up a great score on rings and could be on his way for a great finish to the weekend.”

Junior Steven Legendre and freshman Jacob Dalton are tied for sixth place in the all-around with scores of 84.200. Legendre finished first on floor (15.250) and second on vault (16.250), while Dalton finished in the top 10 on vault (15.950), parallel bars (14.250) and high bar (14.050).

“Jake and Steve battled hard tonight and I'm proud of them,” added Williams. “Steve battled through some pains in his back and he did a great job of finishing his routines.”

Go to the men's gymnastics page on SoonerSports.com for information on the points ranking system used for advancement to the final round, as well as the Session II Results.

Final All-Around ranking based on combined all-around scores from Day 1 and Day 2.

Individual Event ranking based on combined scores from Day 1 and Day 2

Senior National Team Selection: The Senior National Team will be determined at the 2010 Winter Cup Challenge by the following:

Ten highest ranking gymnasts as determined by the National Team Points Program.

The Men's Program Committee will select five team members from among the participants at the 2010 Winter Cup Challenge or from petitioned athletes.

Senior Team members will be placed on the Senior Team until the 2010 Visa Championships.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Complete First Day at Winter Cup

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