jason laughtonjason laughton 1977 | 1978|1991 |20022003 |2005 2006 staff NATION AL CHMPIONS 27 COACHESmark williams markwilliams

Year as OU head coach...... Ninth Alma Mater...... Nebraska (1980) Four-time National Coach of the Year Seven-time MPSF Coach of the year williams’ record at ou

Year Record Conference (Finish) Postseason (Finish) 2000...... 15-4...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (Fourth) 2001...... 24-2...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (Second) 2002...... 28-1...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (First) 2003...... 26-0...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (First) 2004...... 24-4...... MPSF (Second)...... NCAA (Second) 2005...... 21-2...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (First) 2006...... 31-0...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (First) 2007...... 26-4...... MPSF (First)...... NCAA (Second) Total 195-17 .920 Winning Percentage WILLIAMS bio

If you’re looking for tradition and excellence in NCAA men’s , look no farther than Norman, Okla. At the University of Oklahoma, four-time National Coach of the Year Mark Williams has led the Sooners to four NCAA titles and three runner-up finishes in the last seven seasons. Not since 1979- 1982 has a team produced a finish of second place or higher in four or more consecutive seasons.

Williams was named head coach of the program in 2000 and has positioned Oklahoma as a legitimate national contender every year with an overall mark of 195-17 in eight seasons. During his tenure, OU has recorded impressive numbers, including 81 All-America honors and the nation’s top gymnast in 2003, Daniel Furney (Nissen Award).

“What we have accomplished as a program in eight years is unprecedented,” said Williams. “I knew when I was hired that this was my dream job and each year I look forward to building upon Oklahoma’s tradition of gymnastics excellence.”

Williams’ 2007 OU squad won the program’s eighth MPSF title in nine sea- sons and finished as national runner-up. Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons claimed the NCAA all-around crown and won the exercise and high bar titles, breaking ’s OU record for career NCAA champion- ships.

In 2006, the Sooners won their second consecutive NCAA title and fourth in five years. Williams led OU to a perfect 31-0 record, racking up a school-re- cord 14 All-America honors, an NCAA high for the second straight year.

The 2006 squad also produced the eighth individual national champion under Williams as Horton captured the all-around title, as well as the still and floor exercise crowns.

Following the season, an unprecedented six Sooners qualified for the Visa U.S. Championships. Following the meet, Williams was named head coach of the U.S. Team for the 2006 World Championships in Denmark where Horton joined him as a member of the American squad.

The 2005 Sooners won their third NCAA title in the past four years. Williams 5Under Williams, Oklahoma has enjoyed four ncaa titles, seven conference guided OU to to a record of 21-2 and the Sooners produced a then-school-re- titles, 81 All-America honors, 11 individual national champions and 25 conference cord 13 All-America honors, an NCAA best among the 2005 teams competing champions in eight seasons. at the championship meet. 28 2008 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS GUIDESOONERSPORTS.COM mark williamsCOACHES The 2005 squad also produced the fifth individual national champion under The williams file 88 Williams when David Henderson took the title on the still rings. Henderson, his younger brother, Jamie, and Horton also gave Williams his 16th, 17th and 18th individual conference champions. Education • B.S. Secondary Education/English (Nebraska, 1980) • M.A. Journalism/Professional Writing (Oklahoma, 1991) Williams and the 2005 Oklahoma team were recognized for their accomplish- ments at the local, state and national level. Williams threw out the first pitch Coaching Experience for the OU-Nebraska game just days after the team was recognized • Head Coach, Oklahoma (2000-present) at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where a House of Representatives resolution • Assistant Coach, Oklahoma (1988-99) was passed to honor the team. • High School Coach (1982-88)

Just three months later, the Oklahoma team traveled to Washington D.C. and Career Coaching Highlights was honored in the nation’s capital. After being recognized at a reception held • 2007 MPSF Coach of the Year by Oklahoma’s senators, the Sooners received a private tour of the Capitol • 2006 U.S. World Championships Head Coach from Oklahoma senator Tom Cole. • 2006 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year • 2006 NCAA National Champions The following day the Oklahoma team was honored on the White House South • 2006 National Coach of the Year Lawn at NCAA Champion’s Day. The event included a photo opportunity • 2006 MPSF Coach of the Year for the team, remarks from the President and concluded with Daniel Furney • 2005 NCAA National Champions presenting an autographed OU flag to the President. • 2005 National Coach of the Year • 2005 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2004 U.S. Olympic Personal Coach • 2003 NCAA National Champions • 2003 National Coach of the Year • 2003 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2003 World Championship Personal Coach • 2002 World Championship Personal Coach • 2002 NCAA National Champions • 2002 National Coach of the Year • 2002 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2001 West Region NCAA Coach of the Year • 2001 World Championship Personal Coach • 2000 MPSF Coach of the Year • 1999 Head Coach • 1996 Assistant Olympic Coach • 1995 Assistant World Championship Coach • 1994 World Championship Personal Coach • 1994 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year 5 The 2005 NCAA champs at the White House. • 1994 NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year • 11-time USA International Team Coach The 2004 Sooners were 1.5 points shy of becoming the first team in more than 20 years to win three consecutive NCAA titles. Williams guided OU to its sec- Coaching Accomplishments ond straight undefeated regular season (14-0) and a 24-4 finish after a second • Athlete on U.S. Olympic Team place finish at nationals. The Sooners produced eight All-America honors, an • Two athletes on World Championship Teams NCAA best among the 2004 teams competing at the championship meet. • Athlete on Pan American Games Team • Athlete on Pan American Championship Team Also in 2004, Williams reached the 100-win plateau faster than any other • Athlete on World University Games Team coach in NCAA history after defeating then-No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus, • Nine athletes on USA Senior National Team Ohio. He currently owns the highest winning percentage of any active NCAA • Eight athletes on Junior National Team coach at .929. Since Williams joined the Sooners in 1988 as an assistant • 81 NCAA All-America Athletes coach, OU has finished among the nation’s top five squads on 18 occasions. • 11 NCAA National Champions • Two USA Junior National All-Around Champions Williams’ success doesn’t stop at the NCAA level. He has earned the respect of the gymnastics nation by coaching at every level of the sport, from begin- Gymnastics Activities ners to Olympians. • NCAA Rules Committee Chair, 2005 • NGJA Nationally Certified Judge, 1984-2001 • F.I.G. Certified Judge, 1998-2004 Outside of coaching on the collegiate level, Williams was on the Olympic • USAG Men’s Program Committee Member, 1994-2000 scene in 2004. Williams helped guide former OU assistant coach Guard • U.S. Men’s Elite Coaches Association Young to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Young had been Sec./Treas. & V.P., 1991-98 coached by Williams since he was 11 years old and, at the age of 27, Young • USAG Board of Directors Sr. Rep, 1996-98 achieved his goal of competing for the U.S. at the Olympics with Williams • Coached on six NCAA National Championship Teams at his side. Not only did Young compete in the games, but his performance (1981, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) helped the team earn silver, the first team medal for the U.S. since 1984. Athletic Accolades (Nebraska) “Mark is not only a good coach but a good friend,” said Young. “He was able • NCAA Team Champion, 1979 and 1980 to take a boy who could not even do the splits and make him an Olympic silver • All-American High Bar, 1978 medalist. One of Mark’s strengths as a coach is his ability to unite a team. His • Big Eight Champion High Bar, 1978 dedication to the team is something I respect and aspire toward.” • U.S. Junior National Team, 1975

1977 | 1978 | 1991 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 29 COACHESmark williams

Whether as a gymnast, assistant coach or head coach, Williams has been Williams’ vast experience has been recognized at the highest levels of the a part of eight NCAA Championship teams. Before coming to Norman, Wil- sport, most notably when he was asked to serve as the assistant coach for liams won two NCAA team titles at Nebraska (1979-1980) and helped the Team USA at the 1996 Olympic Games. In July of 1999, Williams was head Cornhuskers to another in 1981 as a graduate assistant coach. Ten years coach of the USA’s Pan American Games Team which claimed the silver later, Williams was on the coaching staff that produced OU’s third national medal. In 1994 he led the West team to victory at the U.S. Olympic Festival championship in 1991. Williams made history in 2002 and 2003 when he be- and in 1999 Williams’ junior team claimed the Pan American club champion- came the first coach in NCAA history to win two national titles in his first four ship title. He coached at both the 1994 and 1995 World Championships, years as a head coach. In 2002, Williams made OU just the ninth program in as well as the 1987 Junior International, 1991-92 DTB Cups, 1991 World NCAA history to win back-to-back NCAA titles after finishing 26-0 and winning University Games and 2000 International Team Cup. He served as a per- the NCAA Championship in Philadelphia, Pa. The 2005 and 2006 Sooners sonal coach on the U.S. team which competed at the 2001 and 2002 World repeated the feat, going 31-0 in 2006 and capturing consecutive titles for the Championships and the Chinichi Cup. second time in Williams’ tenure. In addition to his coaching prowess, Williams is both a nationally and interna- Although Williams has returned gymnastics at OU to the top of the sport, tionally certified judge. He has also served as the vice president for the U.S. another one of his primary goals as head coach has been to revitalize OU’s Men’s Elite Coaches Association, as a member of the Men’s Program Com- presence on the international gymnastics scene. With Young’s showing at mittee for USA Gymnastics (USAG) and on the USAG Board of Directors. the 2004 Olympic Games and numerous other gymnasts competing on the Williams was also a member of the 2000 Olympic Selection Committee. world scene, Williams has achieved just that. Williams’ career as an athlete was equally impressive. A high school standout In his 26 years as a professional gymnastics coach, Williams has guided from La Grange Park, Ill., he went on to compete at Nebraska (1977-1980). gymnasts to the Olympic, World Championship, Pan American Games and He received All-America honors on the high bar (1978) in addition to the two University Games teams. He has also coached numerous senior and junior national championship titles he earned with his team (1979, 1980). U.S. national team members including: Casey Bryan (1994 World Team member); Darren Elg (1987 U.S. Junior champion); Dan Fink (1998 NCAA “My stint as a collegiate athlete was one of the best times in my life,” Wil- champion on rings); John Goodwin, Matt Hervey, Jarrod Hanks (1991 World liams said. “The excitement of being part of a great team is indescribable. Team members); Jeremy Killen (1997 NCAA champion on floor exercise); There are very few opportunities for gymnasts to feel that unity outside a Josh Landis (NCAA Champion on floor exercise and ); Jeff university setting. I’ve coached hundreds of athletes in my career and not Lutz (1991 University Games Team member); Heath Mueller, Curtis O’Rorke, one has ever come to me with any regrets about choosing college gymnas- and Jock Stevens (2001 U.S. National Championships participants); Jamie tics. I’ve been a coach at all levels and all have their benefits, but to me, the Henderson and Mueller (2004 U.S. National Championships participants); combination of athletics and education, plus the support and camaraderie of Mike Racanelli, Guard Young (2001, 2002 and 2003 World Championships a team, make NCAA gymnastics something special.” Team member); and Jonathan Horton (2005 Pan Am and 2006 World Cham- pionship team member). Williams graduated from Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/English and completed his master’s degree in journalism/profes- “As a college coach, NCAA competition will always be my first priority,” sional writing at OU. Williams said, “but I also want to encourage those guys who come into the program with aspirations to make the U.S. national team. As a coach, I am Williams was married to the former Susan Southhall in May of 1998. The committed to making USA Gymnastics training and competition opportunities couple welcomed their first child, son Cooper, in March 2007. available to every athlete on my team who wants to compete on a national and international level.”

6The Williams Family

30 2008 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS GUIDESOONERSPORTS.COM q&A with Mark williamsCOACHES

With the team overcoming so many injuries What are some of the benefits of having the last What does the injury situation look like to start during last season and still coming so close to two NCAA all-around champions as your team the season? q winning a national championship is there any q co-captains? q extra motivation going into this season?

They’re a huge factor in this team’s success. We’re slowly getting some guys back. But as we I think with Jon and Taqiy being seniors, their Rarely in the history of the NCAA has anyone had work toward getting competitive-ready we’re also motivation is to go out on top. We struggled a two all-around champions on the same team in A getting more guys with injuries cropping up. It’s A bit last year to have our best team on the floor at A the same competition season. There could be a kind of a balancing act where just as you feel the end, and I think we were happy with giving it case made that those two could end up accounting for you’re getting ahead of things you fall a couple more the best we could. Now, coming in second, were we half of our team score. I think it’s huge to have those steps behind. It’s almost too early to tell. By January totally satisfied with that? No. Would we like to finish on guys not only as leaders in the gym, but also with their I’m hoping we’re a little bit better off than we are right top this year? For sure. I think the guys on this team scoring potential. now, but with this sport it’s often a toss-up. recognize the process you have to go through just to get to the NCAAs and be in a position to win. You can talk What is the chemistry like on this year’s squad? What are your expectations for this year? about that motivation, but there’s a lot of gymnastics that has to happen before we even get into that discussion. q q

How is the move to the open-ended FIG Scoring Code going to impact this team? This is mostly a team that’s been together before. Early in the season we’ll probably allow for some q We’re replacing Brian Carr, Wes Aderhold and Joe of our less-experienced guys to get more comfort- Weaver, and Steven Legendre’s really the guy A able in competitive situations so we can see A who’s come in to help with that transition. Having where we are in terms of our depth. As we get It allows you to capitalize on execution. I think this Jake Messina and Reed Pitts back from injuries last into February and March we’ll be working to establish team will also have somewhat of an advantage season will also be a big key. our National Qualifying Score for NCAAs. Then obvi- in that the open-ended code allows them to do A ously at the end of the season, we’ll be looking at the more difficult routines and be rewarded for it. With conference and national championships as our two the skill and talent levels of Jon and Taqiy, they may be biggest goals. able to do that on a few events which really gives us a top end of our lineup where we can get some really What will it take for this team to reach its goals? big scores from them. I think, overall, the code has a risk-reward equation where you can try to do more but q you better do it well enough and consistently so you get that score, or you can go a little more conservative with routines with lower start values but capitalize on We’re going to need guys who can support Jon not making mistakes. Some guys will have to take that and Taqiy on every event. We’re hoping Steven Legendre can step up and compete like a veteran, A route, and I think Jon and Taqiy will be able to risk more in hopes of separating ourselves a little bit. like Jon and Taqiy did when they were freshmen. Guys will need to step up their level of performance in order for us to have, top to bottom, a lineup that’s able to compete with the best teams.

1977 | 1978 | 1991 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 31 COACHESrustam sharipov rustamsharipov

Year as OU assistant coach...... Third Alma Mater...... Kharkov State (1997) 2006 national co-assistant coach of the year

sharipov bio

One of the main reasons for the sustained excellence of the University of Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team has been head coach Mark Williams’ ability to surround himself with a superior staff. is no exception. Sharipov brings the experience of three Olympic medals, including two golds, to Norman. In his first year as an OU assistant, the Ukraine native was named National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year.

After retiring from competitive gymnastics in 2000, Sharipov moved to the and began his coaching career at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman. After spending one year in Norman, Sharipov accepted a coaching position at the Houston Gymnastics Academy where he worked with some of the top gymnasts in the nation, including U.S. National Team members and the sharipov file 88 Todd Thornton. In 2004, he was the head coach for the U.S. Team that won the gold medal at the Junior Pacific Alliance Competition and in 2002 was the coach of the U.S. Team that took gold at the Junior Pan Education American Games. • Kharkov State (1997)

As a gymnast, Sharipov burst on the scene in 1989 as the Soviet junior national champion and, shortly Coaching Experience afterward, brought home the all-around championship at the 1990 U.S. Olympic Cup. Sharipov put on a • Assistant Coach, Oklahoma (2005-present) show at the 1992 European Championships, winning the high bar and taking second on the . • Houston Gymnastics Academy (2001-05) He also took first on the parallel bars at the CIS Championships and the DTB Cup, and added a high bar • Bart Conner Gymnastics (2000-01) championship at the Tokyo Cup. Sharipov also helped the Unified Team to an Olympic Gold Medal at the Coaching Accomplishments 1992 Barcelona Olympics. • 2006 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year • 2004 Head Coach, Gold Medal Jr. Pacific Alliance Sharipov did not slow down in ’93, taking first in the all-around at both the Nikon International and the Team International Championships of , along with a third-place finish in the event at the European Cup. • 2002 Head Coach of Gold Medal Jr. PanAm Team At the 1994 World Championships, Sharipov was a member of the third-place team and was the runner- • 1992 “Master of Sport,” Soviet Union up on the parallel bars. Gymnastics Accomplishments In 1995, after winning championships on the parallel bars at the French International and the Cottbus • 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist on Parallel Bars • 1996 Bronze Medal Olympic Team (Ukraine) International along with an all-around title at the International Championships of Romania, Sharipov had • 1996 World Parallel Bars Champion an impressive showing at the European Cup, winning gold on high bar and parallel bars. He followed • 1996 European Parallel Bars Champion that up in 1996 with perhaps the best year of his career, taking first on the parallel bars at the European • 1995 High Bar Gold Medalist at European Cup Championships before adding the championship on the apparatus at the World Championships. • 1995 P-Bars Co-Gold Medalist at European Cup • 1995 Fifth in All-Around at European Cup The crowning moment for Sharipov came in 1996 in Atlanta, Ga., where Sharipov won the Olympic gold • 1995 Championships of Romania AA Champion medal on the parallel bars and was a member of the bronze-medal Ukrainian team. • 1995 Cottbus International Parallel Bars Champion • 1995 French International Parallel Bars Champion • 1994 World Parallel Bars Runner-Up A 1997 graduate of Kharkov State in Ukraine, Sharipov was awarded the title of Master of Sport in 1992. • 1994 World Championships Third Place Team The honor represents the highest athletic level that one can reach in the former Soviet Union. Sharipov, • 1994 European Parallel Bars Co-Champion and his wife Amber have three daughters, Ksenia, 4, Maya, 2 and Isabella, born July 2007. • 1994 Chunichi Cup AA and Still Rings Champion • 1993 Third Place in All-Around at European Cup • 1993 Championships of Romania AA, SR, PB and HB Champion • 1993 First Place Team at Diet Coke Mixed Duos • 1993 Nikon International AA and P-Bars Champion • 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Team (Unified Team) • 1992 European High Bar Champion • 1992 European Parallel Bars Runner-Up • 1992 CIS Championships Parallel Bars Champion • 1992 DTB Cup Parallel Bars Champion • 1992 Tokyo Cup High Bar Champion • 1991 Alternate on World Champion Soviet Team • 1990 U.S. Olympic Cup All-Around Winner • 1989 Soviet Junior National Champion

4The Sharipov Family 32 2008 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS GUIDESOONERSPORTS.COM daniel furneyCOACHES danielfurney

Year as OU assistant coach...... Third Alma Mater...... Oklahoma (2004) 2006 national co-assistant coach of the year

furney bio

Keeping it in the family has been a familiar theme throughout the coaching ranks and that trend is repre- sented by the men’s gymnastics team at the University of Oklahoma. Former OU gymnast and Nissen Emery award winner Daniel Furney begins his third season as an assistant coach at his alma mater.

Furney was named National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year in his first season.

“As the national all-around champion and Nissen Emery award winner in 2003, Daniel had one of the most prestigious careers in this program’s history,” said head coach Mark WIlliams. “Since he’s had that experience here as a student-athlete, he is able to impart a lot of knowledge to our current student-ath- the furney file 88 letes.”

Education “I feel extremely privileged to be a member of the coaching staff of the best program in the nation,” said • B.A. Communications (Oklahoma, 2004) Furney. “I enjoy not just being a coach, but being a mentor for these young men, both athletically and • M.Ed. Higher Education (Oklahoma, 2005) academically. It’s a great honor to be able to have the opportunity to build upon the tradition that I was a part of at OU as a student-athlete.” Coaching Experience • Assistant Coach, Oklahoma (2005-present) One of the most decorated gymnasts in the program’s history, Furney was named the school’s fifth Nissen Emery winner prior to the 2003 NCAA Championships. That was just the start of a successful Coaching Accomplishments championship weekend for the then-senior. • 2006 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year

Gymnastics Accomplishments Besides helping the Sooners to their second straight national championship and a perfect 26-0 record, • 2003 Nissen Emery Award Winner Furney was the NCAA All-Around Champion with a score of 56.100. The all-around wasn’t the only event • 2003 Member of NCAA Championship Team that Furney picked up a NCAA individual championship on as he won the title on the parallel bars a day • 2003 NCAA All-Around Champion later. • 2003 NCAA Parallel Bars Champion • 2003 NCAA All-Around All-American Furney’s nine career All-America honors is tied for second most in OU history with Bart Conner. His most • 2003 NCAA All-American successful year was in 2003 when he earned four All-America honors (all-around, vault, parallel bars, • 2003 NCAA Parallel Bars All-American • 2003 NCAA High Bar All-American high bar). In 2002, Furney picked up All-America honors on the vault, high bar and all-around and in • 2003 MPSF All-Around Champion 2001 on the pommel horse and p-bars. • 2002 Member of NCAA Championship Team • 2002 NCAA All-Around All-American Furney also picked up two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation individual conference championships in • 2002 NCAA Vault All-American the all-around in 2003 and on the pommel horse, also in 2003. In addition, he was a member of the three • 2002 NCAA High Bar All-American conference championships teams at OU. • 2001 NCAA Pommel Horse All-American • 2001 NCAA Parallel Bars All-American A former U.S. Senior National Team member (2001-02), Furney shares OU’s vault record of 9.7 with Jock • 2000 MPSF Pommel Horse Champion Stevens.

Furney graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2004 with a degree in communications. He then received his master’s from OU in higher education administration with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics in May of 2005.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Furney was married on Aug. 20, 2005, to the former Emily Land.

3Daniel and Emily Furney 1977 | 1978 | 1991 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 33 COACHESsupport staff

dr. david Holden Jennifer cappuzzo, MA, ATC Team Physician Assistant Athletic Trainer

Dr. David Holden, a board certified orthopedic surgeon from the McBride Jennifer Cappuzzo enters her second year as an athletic trainer at the Clinic in , returns for his 10th year with the Oklahoma men’s University of Oklahoma. gymnastics program. Cappuzzo earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from West A graduate of Duke University and the University of Texas Medical School in Virginia University and obtained a master of arts degree in health stud- Houston, Holden serves as a clinical instructor at the University of Oklahoma ies/sports medicine health care from The University of Alabama where she Medical School and is a member of various professional organizations served as the athletic trainer for the team. including the AMA, OSMA, OCMA, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. She has also served as the athletic trainer for the women’s soccer and wom- en’s teams at St. Mary’s College of California and with the 2005 Holden served as the U.S. athletes’ 2000 Swim Team Physician for the and 2006 national championship women’s gymnastics team at the University Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and as a team physician for the of Georgia. U.S. Olympics in 1994 and 1995. At OU, Cappuzzo, a Hamburg, N.Y. native, is responsible for the daily care, Holden occasionally travels with the team to competitions and makes bi- treatment, rehab and prevention of injuries for the men’s and women’s gym- weekly visits to the training facility to medically evaluate student-athletes. nastics programs.

josh sims, ATC brian carr Graduate Athletic Trainer Graduate Manager

A Certified Athletic Trainer, Josh Sims came to the University of Oklahoma in After completing his gymnastics eligibility as a captain of the 2007 MPSF 2005 as a graduate athletic trainer. A native of Medford, Ore., Sims is in his champion and NCAA runner-up Sooners, Brian Carr returns to assist the second year with the men’s gymnastics program. team as a graduate manager.

During the 2005-2006 season, he worked with OU’s men’s and women’s A finalist for the 2007 Nissen Emery Award, Carr earned All-America honors cross country and teams. on the pommel horse as a member of OU’s 2006 NCAA Championship team. During his four seasons in Norman, the Mandeville, La., native was a part of Sims is a 2005 graduate of Oregon State University with a bachelor of sci- three MPSF championship teams and two NCAA title winners. Carr was also ence degree in exercise and sport science with an option in athletic training. honored three times as a CGA Academic All-American. During his time as an undergraduate at OSU, he worked with the Beavers’ football and women’s soccer teams. During his senior season Carr was a consistent performer on pommel horse and high bar, setting career highs on both events in his final campaign. Sims is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in human relations and adult and higher education with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics A petroleum engineering major, Carr will complete his degree at Oklahoma in administration. May 2008 and has accepted a position with Devon Energy in Oklahoma City.

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