Sooners Earn Road Victory at Illinois

412.300

399.700

Highlights

Team Scores
	Oklahoma	Illinois
FX	67.300	66.450
PH	69.800	66.550
SR	68.550	68.750
VT	71.700	70.700
PB	66.950	65.550
HB	68.000	61.700
Total	412.300	399.700

Event Winners
Event	Gymnast	Score
FX	Vernyi (OU)	14.150
PH	Moldauer (OU)	14.700
SR	Moldauer (OU)	14.650
VT	T. Justus (OU)	14.700
PB	Moldauer (OU)	14.850
HB	Enggleston (UI)	14.450

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In their first road contest in over a month, the Oklahoma men's gymnastics team picked up a hard-fought victory, defeating Illinois, 412.300-399.700.

Yul Moldauer picked up a trio of event titles Saturday as the Sooners won five of six events.

"He had a great day for us," Williams said of Moldauer. "He's doing his part."

The Sooners were on fire to start the meet, posting a 69.800 on pommel horse. Moldauer sparked the lineup with a 14.700 and claimed his first event title of the day. Genki Suzuki placed second for OU with a 14.300 as Brian Schibler (13.750), Grant Kell (13.700) and Levi Anderson (13.350) also helped the Sooners to a fast start on the road.

"Starting like that really boosts your energy," Moldauer said. "It builds a rhythm and we can build on it."

Freshmen Alexei Vernyi and Gage Dyer shined in the second rotation, posting back-to-back floor scores over 14.000 and leading OU to a 67.300. Vernyi took home the event title, the first of his career, with a 14.150.

"I was an alternate before the meet, but I got put in to the first spot right before it started," Vernyi said. "It was amazing. I stuck most of my passes. I just went out and did my job."

Dyer and Hunter Justus each scored a 14.000 tie for second, while Tanner Justus (13.00) and Anderson (12.150) rounded out the lineup.

OU continued to build its lead on vault. Tanner Justus tallied an individual season-high 14.700, leading the Sooners to a 71.700. Hunter Justus registered his fifth vault over 14.500 this season with a 14.650. Dyer (14.300), Suzuki (14.150) and Mason Menser (13.900) finished out the rotation, as the Sooners held a 208.800-201.750 lead at the meet's halfway point.

Moldauer continued to impress on still rings, scoring a 14.650 to earn another event title. OU totaled a 68.750 as Reese Rickett (14.100), Jake Maloley (13.450), Anderson (13.300) and Collyn Kellogg also competed in the fourth rotation.

On high bar, Suzuki placed first with a 14.300 and OU finished with a 68.000. Anderson (14.050), Kell (13.650), Isamu Ito (13.100) and Dyer (12.900) wrapped up the fifth rotation.

OU finished out its road victory with a 66.950 on parallel bars. Moldauer claimed his third event title of the day, notching a 14.850. Dyer, who competed on four events for the second time this season, tallied a 13.600. Suzuki (13.100), Anderson (13.00) and Hunter Justus (12.400) ended the meet for the Sooners.

With Saturday's competition being the Sooners' first on the road in over a month, Williams was pleased with the result but knows the team still has to adjust to the stresses of away meets.

"We had to be reminded how to compete on the road again. It's a little different," Williams said. "There are some challenges to deal with. Some of those make us stronger; I think this team understands that. Overall it was a good competition. We still have one more away meet to get some practice at it."

The Sooners continue their road trip next week as they take on Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, March 23 at 5 p.m. CT.

Said Williams: "I think at the end of the year, the Buckeyes will be one of the top teams. We look forward to that challenge."

Players Mentioned

Levi Anderson

Gage Dyer

Isamu Ito

Hunter Justus

Tanner Justus

Grant Kell

Collyn Kellogg

Jake Maloley

Mason Menser

Yul Moldauer

Reese Rickett

Brian Schibler

Genki Suzuki

Alexei Vernyi

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