Sooners Host Men's NCAA Gymnastics Championship

The nation's best gymnasts will spend the weekend in the Sooner State competing for the 2012 men's national title.

Thursday, April 19th 2012, 1:41 pm

By: News 9


The nation's best men's gymnasts will visit Norman this weekend to compete for the 2012 NCAA National Championship.

Beginning Thursday afternoon, the No. 1 ranked Sooners host the three day competition inside the Lloyd Noble Center with hopes of winning its sixth national title since 2002 and ninth in program history.

Qualifying sessions begin at 1 p.m. Thursday and six teams will advance to the team finals at 7 p.m. on Friday. From there, the top eight individuals on each squad will advance to the event finals at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The Sooners (18-1, 8-0 MPSF) are led by the NCAA's top-ranked all-around gymnast and MPSF Gymnast of the Year, Jake Dalton. The junior looks to defend his 2011 titles on floor and vault while competing for his first NCAA all-around title.

This year, six current members of the U.S. national team are competing at the NCAA—a nice preview of the upcoming U.S. Olympic trials.

With the No. 1 ranking, Oklahoma will compete in the second session of the NCAA Qualifier on Thursday. OU will be joined in the 7 p.m. session by No. 4 Illinois, No. 5 Minnesota, No. 8 California, No. 9 Temple and No. 12 Air Force. The first session, set for 1 p.m., features No. 2 Penn State, No. 3 Stanford, No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 10 Nebraska and No. 11 Iowa. The top three teams from each session qualify for the team finals on Friday night at 7.

Under head coach Mark Williams, the Sooners have won five national titles, 22 individual national titles, 42 individual conference titles, 126 All-America honors and three Nissen-Emery Awards. The Sooners are undefeated in past national championships held at the Lloyd Noble Center, claiming first place in 2002 and 2006.

For more information about tickets to this weekend's meet visit SoonerSports.com

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