Men's Gym Names 2019-20 Team Captains

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team named their 2019-20 team captains last week, head coach Mark Williams announced.

Seniors Tanner Justus and Grant Kell were selected to serve as the captains for the team this season, per their coaches' and teammates' vote.

Justus, an All-American in 2018 on vault, competed in 10 of 11 meets in 2019, collecting two vault event titles against Ohio State (14.800) and Nebraska/Illinois (14.600). The Cypress, Texas, native also took home a second-place finish on the event at the MPSF Championship in Norman with a stuck 14.950. A staple in the lineup for the past three seasons, Justus looks to prove his all-around talent in 2020.

"It was definitely a very special moment for me," Justus explained on being honored with the title. "Every year we do team building exercises before NCAA's and during that exercise before last year's team finals Mark (Williams) announced that I would be named captain of this year's team, which he's never done before.

"He usually doesn't name the captains until we're a good ways into summer, so for him to do that before we finished last year's season really showed me that our coaches trust me for the job."

"It's like a dream come true." - Tanner Justus

The second senior voted to help lead the Sooners in 2020, Kell has been a valuable competitor on pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar for OU throughout his time in Norman.

Kell battled injuries in 2019 but was still able to compete in five meets for the Sooners, registering season highs of 13.650 on pommel horse versus Ohio State and 13.400 on high bar against Iowa.

"Being named a captain is both humbling and motivating," said Kell. "I'm excited to share the lessons I've learned in past years with this year's team and be a reliable leader who takes this role seriously."

A leader in the gym and classroom, Kell graduated with his bachelor's in finance in May 2019 and is currently pursuing his master's in finance. The Georgetown, Texas, native was an MPSF Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big 12 At-Large Team selection in 2019.

The Sooners will start official practice next month. For 2020 season and single-meet tickets, visit soonersports.com/tickets.

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.

Players Mentioned

Tanner Justus

Grant Kell

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics