Sooners Visited Cleveland Elementary Friday

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics spent its Friday morning at Cleveland Elementary School. The three-time defending National Champion Sooners open their 2018 season on Jan. 20 at Air Force and host their first home competition on Feb. 3 against Nebraska and Stanford in the team's annual “Cleveland Elementary Night” at McCasland Field House.

Throughout each school year for the past 13 years, OU men's gymnasts have made regular visits to and immerse themselves in the Cleveland community. On Friday, the Sooners and head coach Mark Williams put on an exhibition for a packed gymnasium of Cleveland students and faculty.

“It's really special coming here and interacting with all the kids,” said junior Yul Moldauer. “Being a role model or someone these kids can look up to is special and something we take to heart. It's also good to get away from the gym and be involved in the community.”

“Whenever we come here, you get a little nervous because you don't want to disappoint the kids,” added Hunter Justus. “These kids get loud and their cheers push you to go further and when you hear how much fun their having it's fun for us. Cleveland night is the most fun meet of the year.”

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.

Special promotions at Cleveland night will be exclusive to students of the school, including the opportunity to serve as junior judges, score flashers, march-in leaders, award presenters and PA announcer. Additionally, 500 t-shirts celebrating the Sooners' 2017 National Championship will be given away to the first 500 fans in attendance and each of the last three National Championship trophies will be on display for photo opportunities.

“Our first home meet is usually our biggest one,” continued Moldauer. “We get a lot of people to come out and pack the field house and competing in front of these kids helps give us a little more motivation.”

For tickets to “Cleveland Elementary Night” or any of the other home dates at McCasland, call the Oklahoma ticket office at (405) 325-242 or toll free at (800) 456-GoOU or visit SoonerSports.com.