Annual scrimmage gives fans their first chance to see 2013 men's gymnastics squad.
Nov. 28, 2012
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Head coach Mark Williams
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NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma men's gymnastics team will host its annual
Red/White Scrimmage Saturday at 2 p.m. as the Sooners prepare for the start
of the 2013 season.
The annual intrasquad event will take place at the Sam
Viersen Gymnastics Center at 325 W. Imhoff Road. The scrimmage is free to
the public and parking is available across the street at the Lloyd Noble Center.
The team will split into two squads, and judges will judge the routines of both
the Red and White teams. Senior Troy Nitzky and junior Presten Ellsworth, both
All-Americans in 2012, will serve as team captains.
"This is the first time we will be in front of judges, so it will show a lot,"
said Nitzky, the White Team captain. "The guys have been doing great in practice,
and this is going to be one of the first steps towards the NCAA Championships
in April."
"We're excited, I'm glad we get to start the season off with the Red/White Scrimmage,"
said Ellsworth, the Red Team captain. "My red team is looking good and consistent.
That's all we're going to go out there and do, be consistent and hit five-for-five
on each event. Hopefully we'll hit 30 routines in a row and come out with a
victory against the White. We're really looking forward to the start of the
season."
The scrimmage will be the first opportunity for the Sooners to experience the
new scoring format with judges. This year, five gymnasts will compete in each
event, with all five scores counting towards a team's score. Previously, six
gymnasts competed, with the top five scores being recorded.
The eight-time national champion Sooners enter the regular season at No. 3 in
the GymnInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll after a runner-up finish at the 2012 NCAA
Championships, their 12th-consecutive top-three finish at the NCAA Championships.
OU also claimed its 19th conference title in 2012, its 11th in the past 14 years.
The off-season was highlighted by five current and former Sooners representing
the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
In addition to Nitzky and Ellsworth, the 2013 Sooners are led by senior Chris
Stehl and sophomore Danny Berardini, all All-Americans in 2012. The four returning
gymnasts will anchor an exciting squad that features five new members.
This year, the Sooners will compete in nine regular season meets, including
three home meets at the OU McCasland Field House. The home season opens on Feb.
16 with a meet against Minnesota. Conference-rival Air Force comes to Norman
the following weekend on Feb. 23, and the home season closes on March 23 with
a match against Ohio State. All three home competitions are scheduled to begin
at 7 p.m. CT.
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.
