Sooners Show Off in Cleveland Exhibition

NORMAN – Just two days before it is scheduled to open the 2017 season at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Oklahoma men's gymnastics team took a break from preparations to participate in an exhibition for students at Norman's Cleveland Elementary School.

The Sooner coaches and gymnasts made their annual preseason visit to promote "Cleveland Elementary Night" which will be held inside the McCasland Field House on Saturday, Jan. 28 against Michigan at 6:50 p.m.

"We're happy to have had the relationship we've had for 12 years. It's a win-win for us."
- Head Coach Mark Williams

“It's always an energy boost to the team because the kids get so excited and have fun watching our guys perform for them,” head coach Mark Williams said. “We're happy to have had the relationship we've had for 12 years. Guys come over and help in the classrooms and the kids come out and support us in our competitions. It's a win-win for us.”

With the students and faculty of Cleveland gathered for an assembly, the Sooners showed off some of their skills on floor exercise, pommel horse, rings and parallel bars for a packed audience in the Cleveland Elementary gymnasium.

The annual event is part of a "Partners in Education" program developed by Williams and Cleveland Elementary music teacher Regina Bell. OU gymnasts make weekly visits to the school to assist teachers with class activities and to help tutor students in math, grammar and reading.

“It's such a neat relationship because they give so much to our students and they are rock stars to our kids,” Bell said. “They help with tutoring and fostering good behavior and character, and the neat thing is we can give back to them as well. We know gymnasts can go anywhere and not get recognized, but if they come to Cleveland they get recognized.”

“I think that it comes down to the relationships with the kids,” Williams said. “They go in to the classrooms and get to know them a little bit and they help the teachers. As a result of that the kids view them as mentors, and rock stars in some cases. Then when they come see us perform they already have an established relationship so they are so excited to support them. It's been great and we look forward to continuing it for many years to come.

The OU Athletics Marketing Department has some special events planned for "Cleveland Elementary Night". Dozens of lucky students will have the opportunity to serve as junior judges, score flashers, march-in leaders, junior PA announcer and award presenters at the meet

The Sooners open their 2017 season on Saturday, Jan. 14^th as they travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take part in the 2017 Rocky Mountain Open. They then travel to take on Nebraska a week later before returning home to host Michigan on Cleveland Night.

Fans can purchase tickets by calling the University of Oklahoma Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-GoOU, or by visiting SoonerSports.com.

Get inside looks at the Sooners throughout the season by liking the OU Men's Gymnastics Facebook page and by following the team on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @OU_MGymnastics.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Show Off in Cleveland Exhibition

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