OU Gymnastics: Two Oklahoma Athletes Land Conference Accolades
By OU Media Relations
NORMAN – Oklahoma sophomore Fuzzy Benas was named the MPSF Gymnast of the Week and fifth-year senior Jack Freeman was named MPSF Specialist of the Week after their performances over the weekend at Winter Cup, the conference office announced Tuesday.
Benas registered the highest finish among collegiate gymnasts in the all-around standings at Winter Cup, tying for fifth place and earning a spot on the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team. His total all-around score of 163.600 was comprised of an 82.950 on Sunday and an 80.650 on Friday. Benas climbed the standings on Sunday with the second-highest all-around score in the finals to finish in a fifth-place tie after entering the day in eighth following Friday’s round of competition.
The Richmond, TX, product scored highest on vault with a combined 29.050 score (14.650 on Friday and 14.400 on Sunday), and he finished among the top-14 in every other event. He placed fifth on parallel bars with a total of 28.400, and totaled 27.200 on floor exercise (10th), 27.050 on still rings (12th), 26.150 on high bar (13th) and 25.750 on pommel horse (14th).
Freeman, a Palestine, TX, product, placed fourth in the high bar competition at Winter Cup, registering a combined score of 27.450. He notched a 13.950 in the opening round on Friday and followed with a 13.500 in the finals on Sunday to earn a fourth-place finish on the event.
This is Benas’ third MPSF weekly award this season and the fifth of his career. This is Freeman’s first conference weekly honor of the season and the second of his career.
Oklahoma gymnasts have now won 13 MPSF weekly awards this season. Benas was also named MPSF Gymnast of the Week on Jan. 23 and Feb. 13, senior Zach Nunez was named Gymnast of the Week on Feb. 20, junior Emre Dodanli was named Specialist of the Week on Jan. 16 and Jan. 30, sophomore Ignacio Yockers was named Specialist of the Week on Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, sophomore Kelton Christiansen was named Specialist of the Week on Feb. 20, and freshman Colin Flores was named Freshman of the Week on Jan. 23 and Feb. 6.
The Sooners return to NCAA action this week, and travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday for a noon CT meet at No. 4 Michigan.