Sooners Begin Official Practice

NORMAN – The 2019-20 University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team began official practice Tuesday afternoon at the Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center in Norman.

The Sooners, winners of four of the past five NCAA championships and eight-time defending MPSF conference champions, will have a new look in 2020 as the team graduated a highly-decorated class of eight seniors in 2019.

This year's squad looks to be led by senior captains Tanner Justus and Grant Kell. Justus, an All-American in 2018 on vault and Kell, a staple in the lineup for the Sooners the past three seasons, lead an underclassmen-laden group that features just three seniors: Justus, Kell and rings specialist Collyn Kellogg.

"We're all excited," said Justus. "We're motivated as ever to get back in the gym. Today's the first official day but it's not too much different because we've been pushing each other before this preseason started."

"It's nothing new to us, hard work is what we do." - Tanner Justus

The Sooners add in a handful of newcomers highlighted by Cypress Gymnastics Academy product Jack Freeman, who recently took second on rings and ninth in the all-around at the 2019 U.S. Championships, and former Canadian Junior National Team member David Sandro.

Sophomore Vitaliy Guimaraes, an All-American on vault for the Sooners in 2019, junior Gage Dyer, conference champion on floor, and veteran junior Matt Wenske will also chip in valuable scores for the OU squad in 2020.

Fans can renew their season tickets beginning tomorrow, Oct. 2, through Tuesday, Nov. 19. Season tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. and single-meet tickets will be available for purchase starting Friday, Nov. 29.

The Sooners will kick off the season with their annual Red-White intrasquad scrimmage in December. A date and time for the scrimmage, along with the full 2020 schedule will be released soon.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma men's gymnastics, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_MGymnastics) and like Oklahoma Men's Gymnastics on Facebook.

Through the Lens on the First Day of Official Practice
Senior Tanner Justus

Senior Grant Kell

Junior Gage Dyer

Junior Alexei Vernyi

Freshman David Sandro and Assistant Coach Josh Yee