Feb. 22, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma senior gymnast Jonathan Horton has been selected as one of 11 semifinalists for the 78th James E. Sullivan Memorial Award presented by the Amateur Athletic Union.  Fans can cast their ballot from Feb. 22-March 10 at USAToday.com or on their mobile phones to help determine the five finalists who will be invited to the award presentation at the New York Athletic Club on April 1.  Fan votes count one-third toward the final tally.

The most decorated NCAA gymnast in OU program history, Horton owns school records for career individual NCAA titles (5) and career All-America honors (15).   Both marks were formerly held by two-time Olympic gold-medalist Bart Conner.  An OU team co-captain in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Horton has been a part of two national championship teams (2005 and 2006) and was the all-around national champion in 2006.

The Houston, Texas, native has also emerged as a star on the international gymnastics scene.  Horton finished fourth in the all-around at the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and became just the fifth U.S. man to finish in the top four at a World Championships or Olympic Games.  Horton's performance helped propel the American squad to a fourth-place finish in the team standings and an automatic berth in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

In addition, Horton is the two-time defending champion at the Tyson American Cup and the first back-to-back winner since the USA's Blaine Wilson won three straight from 1997-1999.

Vote Now! | About the Sullivan Award | Horton Bio

Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards, the Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.  It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan.  Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who show leadership skill and strong character.

The 2007 Sullivan Award went to paralympic swimming champion Jessica Long.  Other past honorees include Michelle Kwan (2001), Peyton Manning (1997) and Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1986).  Only two gymnasts have ever won the Sullivan Award, Kurt Thomas in 1979 and Paul Hamm in 2004.

78th AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award Semifinalists
Brian Duncan (football)
Thomas Finchum (diving)
Jonathan Horton (gymnastics)
Jeff Lerg (ice hockey)
Jamie Lovemark (golf)
Kristie Marano (wrestling)
Robert Pillow IV (basketball)
Phillippa Raschker (track & field)
Tim Tebow (football)
Angela Tincher (softball)
Brad Vering (wrestling)