Sooners put on exhibition for school children in advance of 2013 season.
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NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 3-ranked University of Oklahoma men's
gymnastics team held an exhibition at Cleveland Elementary School for several
hundred enthusiastic children Friday morning.
The Sooners did routines on floor exercise, pommel horse and vault. The event
was capped off when junior Raymond White vaulted over 40 children grouped between
the vault and the mat. Former Sooner and 2012 Olympian Jake Dalton also spoke
to the children about his Olympic experience.
"Every year we do a show at Cleveland Elementary, and it's a lot of fun
for all of us," White said. "The kids enjoy it, and we enjoy it. It's
nice to be able to give back to the community and interact with the students.
I love how enthusiastic they are and how grateful they are to see us. In turn,
that makes us happy, too."
The Sooners have worked in conjunction with Cleveland Elementary for much of
head coach Mark Williams' 14 years at OU. The team and students have worked
together on community projects and tutoring in addition to the annual exhibition.
OU's meet against conference-rival Air Force on Feb. 23 will be Cleveland Elementary
Night. To honor the long-standing partnership between the team and school, Cleveland
Elementary students will participate in the meet, including singing the national
anthem, and serving as honorary coaches and judges.
The Sooners' 2013 slate begins Jan. 12 at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado
Springs, Colo. The home season opens on Feb. 16 with a meet against Minnesota.
After Air Force comes to Norman the following weekend, the home season concludes
on March 23 with a match against Ohio State. All three home competitions are
scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT at McCasland Field House.
The season concludes with the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference
Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., on April 4, and the 2013 NCAA Championships
in State College, Pa., April 19-21.
Season tickets are on sale now for purchase
online and by phone (800-456-GoOU). Single-meet tickets will go on sale
Jan. 10.
For all the latest information and behind-the-scenes updates on Oklahoma men's
gymnastics, follow the Sooners on Twitter at @SoonerGymnasts
or "Like" them on Facebook.
