2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 The Oklahoma men’s gymnastics program is based on a foundation of compete at World Championships, Olympic Games or other international competitions is excellence and continues to build on our rich tradition that includes also part of our responsibility. eight NCAA team championships. Our team is made up of student- athletes who are willing to persevere in times of adversity and work Inspiring student-athletes to compete at the highest levels in all that they do – that’s what | OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICSWELCOME hard every day with an unbending will to prepare. we aspire to achieve at Oklahoma. Whether it’s striving for success in the classroom or on the competition Mark Williams | Head Coach | Men’s Gymnastics floor, our team members always capitalize on the opportunities in front of them. Through dedication to the schedule and plan, commitment to a refinement of the details and putting action to that preparation, excellent results have followed. At Oklahoma we provide the avenues to reach the highest goals in the sport. Our collegiate team results in the past eight years are unprecedented. Providing athletes a chance to THERE’S ONLY ONE OKLAHOMA 2008 National Champions 2009 MEDIA GUIDE GUIDE DESIGN EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE The 2009 University of Oklahoma Men’s Gymnastics Media Brian Dude, Matt Wilson, Craig Moran Craig Moran, Assistant Director of Media Relations, and Guide was designed and produced by the Oklahoma Debbie Copp, Director of Publications Athletics Department in Norman, Okla., using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. WRITERS Matt Wilson, Brian Dude PHOTOGRAPHY The University of Oklahoma is an equal Shevaun Williams and Associates, Jerry Laizure, Jackson Laizure, Lisa Hall, Mark Selders, Steve Lange, Xifan Liu, opportunity institution (December 2008). COVER DESIGN Max Morse, Nihal Mahawedge, Ty Russell, Kyle Terada, Scott Matthews, Director of Graphic Design NCAA Gymnastics and OU Athletics Media Relations files DISTRIBUTION A total of 500 copies of the 2009 OU Men’s Gymnastics Media Guide were printed by Transcript Press and distrib- INTERIOR LAYOUT Matt Wilson, Brian Dude uted at no cost to the taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma. Nike is the official footwear and apparel supplier and sponsor of the University of Oklahoma men’s gymnastics program. SOONERSPORTS.COM 1 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 The 2008 national championship was the Sooners’ fifth championship in the last seven years and the eighth in program history OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS STAFF ..........31 2008 SEASON REVIEW .......59 Welcome/Credits ................................................................1 Head Coach Mark Williams ................................... 32 Season In Review ................................................. 60 Table of Contents ...............................................................2 Asst. Coach Rustam Sharipov ............................... 36 Highlights ............................................................ 61 OKLAHOMA OF CONTENTS MEN’S GYMANSTICS | TABLE Quick Facts .........................................................................3 Asst. Coach Daniel Furney .................................... 37 Scrapbook ............................................................ 62 On Campus .........................................................................4 Gymnastics Support Staff ..................................... 38 Meet Results ........................................................ 64 Student Life .......................................................................5 President David L. Boren ...................................... 39 MPSF Championship ............................................ 65 Excellence ..........................................................................8 Joe Castiglione ..................................................... 40 NCAA Championship ............................................ 66 OU Tradition .....................................................................10 Athletics Administration ...................................... 41 Sooner Spirit ....................................................................12 Head Coaches ....................................................... 42 Media Spotlight ...............................................................14 GYMNASTICS TRADITION ....67 Sports Medicine ........................................................15 Program History ................................................... 68 Norman/OKC/Tulsa ....................................................16 SOONER GYMNASTS ..........43 Coaching History .................................................. 69 Gymnastics Facilities .................................................18 Chris Brooks ......................................................... 44 National Championships ...................................... 70 Maps & Directions .....................................................20 Garrett Carr .......................................................... 45 Nissen Emery Award ............................................ 74 SoonerSports.com .....................................................21 Russell Czeschin ................................................... 46 Record Book ......................................................... 76 Community Service ...................................................22 Corey English........................................................ 47 Individual National Champions ............................ 78 Ian Jackson........................................................... 48 All-Americans ...................................................... 80 Jason Laughton .................................................... 49 Conference Champions......................................... 81 2009 SEASON PREVIEW .......23 Steven Legendre .................................................. 50 Letterwinners ...................................................... 82 Outlook/Event Breakdown ........................................24 Kyle McNamara .................................................... 51 International Success ........................................... 84 Rosters ......................................................................26 Jacob Messina ...................................................... 52 Schedule ...................................................................27 Reed Pitts ............................................................. 53 Spectator’s Guide to Gymnastics ...............................28 C.J. Grimes ........................................................... 54 Media Relations ........................................................29 Bobby Shortle ...................................................... 55 Opponents ................................................................30 Chad Crumley ....................................................... 56 David Finning ....................................................... 56 Ben Mayer ............................................................ 57 Troy Nitzky ........................................................... 57 Pat Piscitelli .......................................................... 58 Team Poll ............................................................. 58 2 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS TEAM INFORMATION 2008 Overall Record ........................................................................................28-1 (.966) The mission of the University of Oklahoma Department of Athletics is to inspire champions High Score ........................................................................................................... 364.600 today and prepare leaders for tomorrow by providing an excellent environment to enable NCAA Finish ................................................................................................................First | OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS FACTS QUICK student-athletes to achieve their highest academic, athletic and personal aspirations. MPSF Finish ................................................................................................................First Letterwinners Returning/Lost ...................................................................................11/3 CORE VALUES All-Americans Returning/Lost .....................................................................................8/3 Our individual talents and collective efforts create our competitive advantage. COACHING STAFF • Integrity Head Coach ................................................................................................Mark Williams • Passion for Excellence Year ...............................................................................................................10th Season • Commitment Alma Mater ..............................................................................................Nebraska, 1980 • Respect and Responsibility for Self and Others Record at OU ...............................................................................................223-18 (.925) • Appreciation for and Encouragement of Gender and Cultural Diversity Career Record ..............................................................................................223-18