June 22, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- A day after fellow Oklahoma gymnast Jonathan Horton was named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, OU junior Hollie Vise was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame as a member of the `03 U.S. World Championships Team that claimed USA's first world team title. The ceremony was held Sunday in Philadelphia, Pa., in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Vise played an integral role on the squad as the Dallas, Texas, native was the 2003 World Champion on the uneven bars.

"It's truly an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the great gymnasts that have come before me" said Vise. "Growing up, these were some of my role models and to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with them, as well as the other members of the U.S. World Championships Team, is something I will always cherish."

Other members of the U.S. World Championships team included Annia Hatch of West Haven, Conn., Terin Humphrey of Bates City, Mo., Courtney Kupets of Gaithersburg, Md., Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., Carly Patterson of Allen, Texas, Ashley Postell of Burke, Va., and Tasha Schwikert of Las Vegas, Nev.

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"This is truly one of the top honors that a U.S. gymnast can receive and we are thrilled for Hollie," said head coach K.J. Kindler. "She is very deserving of this honor and we are happy to see her recognized for all of her hard work and dedication throughout her career."

The 2008 Hall of Fame class also included Olympians Jessica Davis of San Anselmo, Calif. (rhythmic), Marie Walther Bilski of Tempe, Ariz. (women's), and Wayne Young of Pleasant Grove, Utah (men's); synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline world champion Stuart Ransom of Southaven, Miss.; two-time NCAA champion Brent Simmons of Columbus, Ind. (men's); women's artistic gymnastics coach Mary Lee Tracy of West Chester, Ohio; and contributor Wendy Hilliard of New York City.

Kenneth Allen of Oshkosh, Wis., was named the 2008 Lifetime Achievement recipient in recognition of his contributions to gymnastics.

"We are proud to recognize the 2008 inductees for their accomplishments and contributions to gymnastics," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "The Hall of Fame is a great opportunity for us to recognize the people who have been a part of gymnastics' rich history. Congratulations to each and every one of our honorees."