2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OKLAHOMA MEN’S 1977 | 1978 | 1991 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006 | 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2009 SCHEDULE 2009 SOONERS BEGIN IN COLORADO

DAY DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 2 Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team opens the 2009 season Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo. The event, hosted Sat...... Jan. 10...... Rocky Mountain Open...... Colorado Springs, Colo..... 7 p.m. by the U.S. Air Force Academy, will start at 8:30 p.m. (CT) at Cadet West Gymnasium and will include both team and individual awards. Sun...... Jan. 18...... Nebraska...... Lincoln, Neb...... 2 p.m. Competing at the meet are host team Air Force, fellow Mountain Pacific Sports Federa- Sat...... Jan. 31 ...... TEXAS...... NORMAN...... 7 p.m. tion rival Nebraska, club teams from Arizona State and the University of Washington, and athletes from the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Thurs...... Feb. 5-7...... Winter Cup...... Las Vegas, Nev...... 7 p.m. The Sooners have won nine consecutive Rocky Mountain Open team titles and scored a Sat...... Feb. 21...... IOWA...... NORMAN...... 7 p.m. 343.550 in 2008 to win the collegiate portion of the competition, while freshman claimed the first all-around title of his OU career with an 84.950. Sat...... Feb. 28...... NEBRASKA...... NORMAN...... 7 p.m. JAN. 10, 2009 | NEWS AND NOTES 2009 | NEWS 10, JAN. “It is definitely a stepping off point for us where it finally gives us a chance to get in front of Sat...... March 7...... Minnesota...... Minneapolis, Minn...... 7 p.m. judges after what seemed to be a fairly long pre-season,” head coach Mark Williams said. “We are ready to get going, we want to compete in a fairly clean meet and finish healthy.” Sat...... March 14...... OHIO STATE...... NORMAN...... 7 p.m. Senior co-captain , junior Ian Jackson and sophomore Steven Legendre will all Sat...... March 21...... PENN STATE ...... NORMAN...... 7 p.m. be competing in the all-around for the Sooner squad. Both Brooks and Legendre captured event titles last year, with Brooks winning the high bar title and Legendre claiming the floor Sat...... April 4...... MPSF Conference Meet...... Palo Alto, Calif...... 7 p.m. and all-around titles.

Thurs...... April 16...... NCAA Team Qualifiers...... Minneapolis, Minn...... 7 p.m. Senior Kyle McNamara will be looking to improve on his last years second place finish in the all-around and claiming the event titles for vault and . Fri...... April 17...... NCAA Team Finals...... Minneapolis, Minn...... 7 p.m. Air Force is in its fourth season under the leadership of Kip Simons. The Falcons return 10 Sat...... April 18...... NCAA Event Finals...... Minneapolis, Minn...... 7 p.m. letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished fifth in the MPSF.

The University of Nebraska is ranked 10th in the pre-season poll and returns 13 letterwin- SETTING THE SCENE ners and one All-American from a team that finished fourth in the MPSF last year. The 2009 ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN Cornhuskers are led by head coach Francis Allen, who is in his 40th season. Oklahoma will face familiar foe next weekend as it travels to Lincoln, Neb., on Jan. 18 for a WHAT: 2009 Rocky Mountain Open hosted by the Air Force Academy rematch against the Cornhuskers. The meet is scheduled for a 2 p.m. (CT) start inside the Bob Devaney Center on the University of Nebraska campus. WHO: No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 10 Nebraska, Air Force, Arizona State, Washington, U.S. Olympic Training Center SOONER GYMNAST TO WATCH

WHERE: Colorado Springs, Colo. STEVEN LEGENDRE Cadet West Gymnasium

Sophomore Steven Legendre claimed the first all-around title of his OU career with an WHEN: Jan. 10, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. (CST) 84.950 at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Open. In addition to his all-around victory, Legendre, from Port Jefferson, N.Y., took the floor exercise crown with a 15.400. SCORES: No live scores will be available for this meet. Final results will be posted on SoonerSports.com at the conclusion of competition. On Nov. 15-16 Legendre competed in his first meet as a member of the USA Men’s Gymnas- tics Senior National Team at the Toyota Cup in Toyota City, Japan. Legendre was successful WHAT 2 WATCH 4: The Sooners have won nine consecutive Rocky Mountain Open team in his first meet as a member of the National Team posting a third-place finish on the vault titles and scored a 343.550 in 2008 to win the collegiate portion of the competition, while during the last day of competition, good for a bronze medal. freshman Steven Legendre claimed the first all-around title of his OU career with an 84.950. In the 2008 NCAA Championships, Legendre also won individual national championships on floor exercise and vault, earning All-America honors on both events as well as on high bar. Legendre became just the fourth Sooner to earn multiple NCAA titles in a season and the first freshman to win national crowns on at least two events.

The official site of OU Athletics supplies Sooner fans worldwide with the latest news and fea- tures on Oklahoma athletics direct from Norman. The site provides the latest press releases, rosters, bios, schedules, statistics, notes, quotes, athlete blogs, photo galleries and audio and video available to both Sooner fans and the media.

2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS NOTES 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

ALPHABETICAL ROSTER AND PRONUNCIATIONS

Name Yr. Ht. Hometown (High School) (Club) Pronunciation Chris Brooks Sr. 5-8 , Texas (Cypress Creek HS) (Houston North Gymnastics) Garrett Carr Jr. 5-11 Mandeville, La. (Fountainbleau HS) (Aces) Chad Crumley Fr. 5-11 Long Grove, Ill. (Stevenson HS) (Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center) CRUHM-lee Russell Czeschin Sr. 6-3 Independence, Mo. (Fort Osage HS) (Great American Gymnastics Express) shuh-SHEEN Corey English Jr. 5-7 Covington, La. (St. Paul’s HS) (Mandeville Sports Complex) David Finning Fr. 5-4 Claremore, Okla. (Cy Falls HS) (Cypress Academy) C.J. Grimes So. 5-5 Ulysses, Kan. (Ulysses HS) (Littlestar Gymnastics) Ian Jackson Jr. 5-6 Harrisburg, Pa. (Central Dauphin HS) (Artistic Sports Academy Plus) Jason Laughton Sr. 5-6 Northridge, Calif. (Sunland Christian School) (SCATS Gymnastics) lawton Steven Legendre So. 5-6 Port Jefferson, N.Y. (Spring Creek Academy) (World Olympic Gymnastics Academy) la-ZHAHN-druh Benjamin Mayer Fr. 5-10 Houston, Texas (Home School) (Cypress Academy) MAY-er Kyle McNamara Sr. 5-7 Littleton, Colo. (Heritage HS) (5280 Gymnastics) MAC-nuh-mare-uh Jacob Messina Sr. 5-6 Matthews, N.C. (East Mecklenburg HS) (G&J Speedway) Troy Nitzky Fr. 5-6 Southampton, Pa. (William Tennent HS) (Temple Boys Gymnastics) Patrick Piscitelli Fr. 5-11 Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Catholic HS) (G & J Speedway) PISK-uh-telly Reed Pitts Jr. 5-9 Allen, Texas (Allen HS) (Eagle’s Wings Athletics) Bobby Shortle So. 5-2 Brunswick, Ohio (Brunswick HS) (Gym World) SHORT-uhl

JAN. 10, 2009 | ROSTER, NEWS AND NOTES 2009 | ROSTER, NEWS 10, JAN. Head Coach Mark Williams 10th Season Nebraska, 1980 Assistant Coach Fourth Season Kharkov State, 1997 roos-TOM SHARE-ee-pahv Assistant Coach Daniel Furney Fourth Season Oklahoma, 2004 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS NEWS AND NOTES

Coming Up Next Week... The Port Jefferson, N.Y., native also finished in the top six in the other events that he com- Oklahoma will face a familiar foe next weekend as it travels to Lincoln, Neb., on Jan. 18 for peted. Legendre finished fifth on the floor exercise and sixth on his high bar and parallel a rematch against the Cornhuskers. The meet is scheduled for a 2 p.m. (CT) start inside the bars routines. Bob Devaney Center on the University of Nebraska campus. In his last national competition, Legendre competed at the 2008 Visa Championships and All-Americans Back For More... placed second on floor and 13th in the all-around competition. The strong showing came The Sooners roster is filled with five All-Americans from last year’s squad. In total, Oklaho- shortly after he earned two individual NCAA titles (vault and floor) while pushing the Soon- ma gymnasts earned 11 All-America honors in 2008, the second-highest total in the nation. ers to the program’s eighth National Championship. Seniors Russell Czeschin (FX), Chris Brooks (PB, HB), Jason Laughton (PH), Reed Pitts (FX) and sophomore Steven Legendre (FX, V, HB), received national distinction. The Port Jefferson, N.Y. native became just the fourth Sooner to record multiple NCAA titles in a season, while also earning All-American status on three events. Williams Names Captains... Seniors Jacob Messina and Chris Brooks were named co-captains for the 2009 season by Fresh New Faces... head coach Mark Williams. The Sooners added five freshman for the 2009 season in Chad Crumley, David Finning, Ben Mayer, Troy Nitzky and Pat Piscitelli. Both have been apart of several of the Sooners national championship squads and have received national honors for their effort. This years signing class reaches far across the country. Form Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Oklahoma this group looks to have an impact to the 2009 season Brooks was a two-time All-American last year on high bar and parallel bars while Messina for the Sooners. has the chance to win a fourth national championship in five years with the team. Legendre Named to National Team... Horton the Sixth... University of Oklahoma men’s gymnastics sophomore Steven Legendre has been selected to The program’s most decorated gymnast, Horton was the 2008 Nissen-Emery recipient in the U.S. Senior National team as announced by USA Gymnastics in October. one of the strongest fields in the award’s history.

Legendre was successful in his first meet as a member of the USA Men’s Gymnastics Senior Considered the Heisman Trophy of gymnastics, the Nissen-Emery Award, founded by National Team at the Toyota Cup in Toyota City, Japan, on Nov 15-16. trampoline inventor George Nissen, has been handed out to the nation’s top senior col- legiate gymnast annually since 1966. Since the award’s inception, Oklahoma has claimed The weekend was highlighted by Legendre’s third-place finish on the vault during the last a nation-leading six Nissen honorees: (1981), Jarrod Hanks (1991), Dan Fink day of competition, good for a bronze medal. Legendre averaged a 15.825 on the vault after (1998), Todd Bishop (1999), Daniel Furney (2003) and (2008). posting scores of 16.05 and 15.75.

2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS NOTES 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977

QUICK FACTS 2008 RESULTS

GENERAL INFORMATION NEWS AND NOTES | RELEASE NO. 1 Location...... Norman, Okla. DATE OPPONENT RESULT Enrollment...... 29,721 Jan. 12 Rocky Mountain Open First (343.550) Founded...... 1890 President...... David L. Boren Jan. 20 Nebraska & Air Force First (349.700) Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics/AD...... Joe Castiglione Jan. 26 Michigan W (351.400) Nickname...... Sooners Colors...... Crimson & Cream Feb. 1 Nebraska W (355.500) Conference...... Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Arena(s)...... Howard McCasland Field House (2,300) Feb. 7 Winter Cup* Individual results Lloyd Noble Center (12,000) OU All-Time Record...... 521-165-1 (.758) Feb. 9 Winter Cup Finals* Individual results

TEAM INFORMATION Feb. 16 Iowa W (355.750) 2008 Overall Record...... 28-1 (.966) High Score...... 364.600 Feb. 23 Pacific Coast Classic Second (359.800) MPSF Finish...... First NCAA Finish...... First March 8 Ohio State Cancelled Letterwinners Returning/Lost...... 11/2 March 15 Minnesota W (364.600) All-Americans Returning/Lost...... 5/2 March 22 Penn State W (357.850) COACHING STAFF Head Coach...... Mark Williams April 5 MPSF Championship First (359.150) Year...... 10th Season Alma Mater...... Nebraska, 1980 April 17 NCAA Qualifier First (357.500) Record at OU...... 223-18 (.925) Career Record...... 223-18 (.925) April 18 NCAA Team Finals First (363.200)

Assistant Coach (Alma Mater)...... Rustam Sharipov (Kharkov State, 1997) April 19 NCAA Event Finals 11 All-Americans Year...... Fourth Season PRE-SEASON POLL Assistant Coach (Alma Mater)...... Daniel Furney (Oklahoma, 2004) Year...... Fourth Season 1. Stanford (10) 10. Nebraska Men’s Gymnastics Office Phone...... (405) 325-8349 2. OKLAHOMA (2) 11. Temple Men’s Gymnastics Office Fax...... (405) 325-7485 3. Ohio State (1) 12. Illinois-Chicago 4. Illinois 13. Air Force Men’s Gymnastics Contact...... Matt Wilson 5. Penn State 14. William & Mary Office. #...... (405) 325-8231 6. Michigan 15. Navy Fax #...... (405) 325-7623 7. California (1) Cell #...... (405) 831-3344 E-mail...... [email protected] 8. Minnesota *First place votes in parenthesis Web site...... www.soonersports.com 9. Iowa Mailing address...... 180 West Brooks St., Suite 2525; Norman, OK 73019 OKLAHOMA SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

In the month of March, the Sooners will face three Big Ten foes beginning with a trip to the University of Minnesota on March 7, a meet that includes MPSF rival Stanford. After the matchup with the Golden Gophers and Stanford, Oklahoma will host two of its top rivals with Ohio State (March 14) and Penn State (March 21) at the McCasland Field House.

Since 2000, the Sooners, Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have combined to win the last nine NCAA titles. OU leads the pack with five national championships while Penn 9 State has claimed three (2000, 2004, 2007) and Ohio State won the 2001 championship. Oklahoma will defend its 2008 national title as the University of Minnesota will host the 2009 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, April 16-18, at the Minnesota Sports Pavilion. Oklahoma has won five national championships under the leadership of head coach Mark Williams and has claimed eight overall in the program’s history.

The Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team has now won five of the last seven NCAA team crowns, (2008), (2006), (2005), (2003), and (2002), under current head coach 8 Mark Williams. With eight national championships, the men’s gymnastics team now owns the most titles of any OU athletics program, breaking a tie with the football SOONERSPORTS.COM 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2008 SEASON REVIEW Abdullah-Simmons’ nine career All-America honors ranks third in OU history.

In one of the most dramatic endings in NCAA Championship history, the second ranked Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team toppled No. 1 Stanford on the Cardinal’s home floor to claim the 2008 national title. It was the Sooners’ fifth championship in the last seven years and the eighth in program history, giving the gymnastics squad the most national titles of any OU athletics program.

Senior Jonathan Horton reinforced his status as the most decorated gymnast in OU history, becoming the Sooners’ sixth Nissen-Emery Award winner and claiming an indi- vidual national title on rings while finishing second in the all-around. Horton earned All-America status on three events (AA, SR, PB) to bring his career total to 18, a program record. His six career individual championships are also tops in OU history.

Proving that the future of the OU program is extremely bright, freshman Steven Legendre won individual national championships on floor exercise and vault, earning All-America honors on both events as well as on high bar. Legendre became just the fourth Sooner to earn multiple NCAA titles in a season and the first freshman to win national crowns on at least two events.

In total, Oklahoma gymnasts earned 11 All-America honors in 2008, the second highest total in the nation. In addition to Horton and Legendre, juniors Russell Czeschin (FX), Chris Brooks (PB, HB) and Jason Laughton (PH) and sophomore Reed Pitts (FX) received JAN. 10, 2009 | 2008 SEASON REVIEW 2009 | 2008 SEASON REVIEW 10, JAN. national honors. 2008 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Following the NCAA Championships, OU head coach Mark Williams was named National WILLIAMS’ CONTINUED SUCCESS Coach of the Year for the fifth time, while assistants Daniel Furney and Rustam Sharipov The Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team has won five of the last seven NCAA team crowns, earned National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year honors for the second time in three (2008), (2006), (2005), (2003), and (2002), all under current head coach Mark Williams. seasons. Since taking over the program in 2000, Williams’ teams have finished runner-up three times, (2007), (2004), (2001), and lower than second at the NCAA Championships only The Sooners also claimed the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title in 2008, their once, a fourth-place showing in his first season (2000). ninth conference championship in 10 years and fourth consecutive. Williams was named the conference’s Coach of the Year for the eighth time in his nine seasons as OU NISSEN-EMRY AWARD head coach, sharing the 2008 honor with Cal’s Barry Weiner. Horton was the MPSF all- Senior Jonathan Horton reinforced his status as the most decorated gymnast in OU history, around champion for the third time. He also won the rings crown and earned his third becoming the Sooners’ sixth Nissen-Emery Award winner. OU now has more Nissen-Emery MPSF Gymnast of the Year Award. award winners than any other university. Past winners include: Daniel Furney (2003), Todd Bishop (1999), Dan Fink (1998), Jarrod Hanks (1991) and Bart Conner (1981). Horton excelled on the international scene as a member of the U.S. Senior National Team. At the 2007 World Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, he finished fourth in the all-around and became just the fourth American men’s gymnast to record MPSF ONCE AGAIN a top-four all-around finish at the World Championships. Horton’s performance helped Oklahoma came from behind on the final rotation to win the program’s fourth consecutive the U.S. to a fourth-place team finish and an automatic berth in the 2008 Olympic conference title. The Sooners’ conference crown is their ninth in 10 seasons competing in Games. Horton went on to win a bronze medal in team competition and a silver medal the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The Sooners have won 16 individual conference in the individual high bar finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. crowns over the last five years. 2008 INDIVIDUAL EVENT HIGHS ALL-AMERICANS “ALL-AROUND” Event Score Gymnast In total, Oklahoma gymnasts earned 11 All-America honors in 2008, the second highest All-Around...... 92.450...... Jonathan Horton total in the nation. In addition to Horton and StevenLegendre claiming six, juniors Russell Floor Exercise...... 16.100...... Steven Legendre Czeschin (FX), Chris Brooks (PB, HB) and Jason Laughton (PH) and sophomore Reed Pitts ...... 14.750...... Jonathan Horton (FX) received national honors. The Sooners have earned double-digit totals in All-America Still Rings...... 16.125...... Jonathan Horton honors in each of the last three years. Vault...... 16.400...... Steven Legendre Parallel Bars...... 15.650...... Jonathan Horton SAYING GOODBYE High Bar...... 15.450...... Jonathan Horton Saying goodbye to Horton and Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons wasn’t easy. During their four years in Norman, the pair combined for 24 All-America honors, six individual NCAA titles 2008 TEAM EVENT HIGHS and were part of back-to-back national championship teams in 2005 and 2006. Horton and Abdullah-Simmons accounted for the last two of the last three NCAA all-around titles - Event Score Last Time Horton in 2006 and Abdullah-Simmons in 2007. No other team in NCAA men’s gymnastics Floor Exercise...... 62.600...... 04.18.08 history had boasted two all-around champions on the same team at the same time. Pommel Horse...... 56.850...... 02.23.08 Still Rings...... 62.100...... 03.15.08 Vault...... 64.450...... 03.15.08 Parallel Bars...... 61.200...... 03.15.08 High Bar...... 58.950...... 01.20.08 Total...... 364.600...... 03.15.08

2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS NOTES 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 HEAD COACH MARK WILLIAMS

10th Year at OU: 223-18 | Alma Mater: Nebraska, 1980 HEAD COACH MARK WILLIAMS | RELEASE NO. 1

Five National Championships Eight Conference Championships Five-Time National Coach of the Year Eight-Time MPSF Coach of the Year

Career Coaching Highlights • 2008 U.S. Olympic Personal Coach • 2008 NCAA National Champions • 2008 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2008 National Coach of the Year • 2007 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2006 U.S. World Championships Head Coach • 2006 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year • 2006 NCAA National Champions • 2006 National Coach of the Year • 2006 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2005 NCAA National Champions SOONERS UNDER WILLIAMS • 2005 National Coach of the Year • 2005 MPSF Coach of the Year Year Record Conference (Finish) Postseason (Finish) • 2004 U.S. Olympic Personal Coach 2000 15-4 MPSF (First) NCAA (Fourth) • 2003 NCAA National Champions 2001 24-2 MPSF (First) NCAA (Second) • 2003 National Coach of the Year 2002 28-1 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) • 2003 MPSF Coach of the Year 2003 26-0 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) • 2003 World Championship Personal Coach 2004 24-4 MPSF (Second) NCAA (Second) • 2002 World Championship Personal Coach 2005 21-2 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) • 2002 NCAA National Champions 2006 31-0 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) • 2002 National Coach of the Year 2007 26-4 MPSF (First) NCAA (Second) • 2002 MPSF Coach of the Year 2008 28-1 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) • 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year TOTAL 223-18 .925 WINNING PERCENTAGE • 2001 West Region NCAA Coach of the Year • 2001 World Championship Personal Coach • 2000 MPSF Coach of the Year BY THE NUMBERS • 1999 Head Coach • 1996 Assistant Olympic Coach • 1995 Assistant World Championship Coach • 1994 World Championship Personal Coach .925 14 • 1994 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year The winning percentage since head The number of individual national • 1994 NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year coach Mark Willimas has been titles won under the direction of • 11-time USA International Team Coach at the University of Oklahoma. Williams. Willimas has won an average of 24 Coaching Accomplishments matches each of his nine years at the • Athlete on U.S. Olympic Team university. • Two athletes on World Championship Teams 29 • Athlete on Pan American Games Team The number of individual conference • Athlete on Pan American Championship Team championships that have awarded • Athlete on World University Games Team under Williams. 1 • Nine athletes on USA Senior National Team Since Mark Willams has been at • Eight athletes on Junior National Team Oklahoma, the Sooners have finished • 92 NCAA All-America Athletes either first or second in the last eight • 14 NCAA National Champions NCAA Championships. 92 • Two USA Junior National All-Around Champions The number of All-Americans that have been produced while Willimas Gymnastics Activities has been at Oklahoma. • NCAA Rules Committee Chair, 2005 2 • NGJA Nationally Certified Judge, 1984-2001 The number of Olympic gymnasts • F.I.G. Certified Judge, 1998-2004 who have come from Oklahoma • USAG Men’s Program Committee Member, 1994-2000 since Williams has been coaching at 100 • U.S. Men’s Elite Coaches Association Sec./Treas. & V.P., 1991-98 Oklahoma. The number of wins that Williams • USAG Board of Directors Sr. Rep, 1996-98 collected by 2004. Williams reaxched • Coached on seven NCAA National Championship Teams the plateau quicker than any coach in (1981, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008) NCAA history. SOONERSPORTS.COM