OU’s Dalton Claims 2011 Winter Cup Title
VEGAS — OU sophomore Jacob Dalton won the 2011 Winter Cup all-around title and regained his position on the U.S. Senior National Team late Saturday night. Overall, one third of the national team will remain from the University of Oklahoma men’s program.
Dalton is the second straight Sooner to win the all-around at the Winter Cup. In 2010, current OU graduate assistant coach Chris Brooks claimed the crown.
“I am very proud of Jake and what he was able to accomplish this weekend,” said OU Head Coach Mark Williams. “He followed a good performance the first night with an even better performance to win the competition. It says a lot about how hard he has trained. He will continue to do a great job on the National Team.”
Joining Dalton on the U.S. National Team are Brooks, sophomore Alex Naddour, senior Steven Legendre and Olympic silver medalist Jonathan Horton. The four Sooners showcased their talents in the sport Saturday night at the Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev., as three of the four current Sooners sent to the event were selected to the national team following strong performances.
Dalton and Naddour were the latest to be named to the team, while Brooks, Horton and Legendre automatically retain their spots on the national team as members of the 2010 World Championships Team.
Dalton, a three-time All-American, claimed the all-around title for the weekend after he posted a two-day total of 176.250. Posting an all-around score of 88.150 on the final night, the Reno, Nev., native also claimed the floor (16.150) and vault (16.550) event titles.
Naddour, right behind Dalton in fourth place, finished the weekend with a two-day total of 170.750. The 2010 pommel horse champion raised his first day scores to finish the final session with an improved 85.850 all-around score.
“Alex did a great job coming back the second day and making the national team,” added Williams. “He is such a competitor and to see him battle back from yesterday is what the Sooner program is all about.”
Legendre , a six-time National Champion, sat out the all-around but finished the weekend fourth on vault with a combined score of 31.750.
Sophomore Chris Stehl had his best Winter Cup showing this weekend finishing in 15th place with a combined all-around score of 162.950.
“Chris did a good job tonight and improved this weekend, added Williams. “It is a tremendous accomplishment for him being in the top 15.”
No other Division I men’s gymnastics program has more members on Senior National Team than Oklahoma and this equals most National Team members that the Sooners have ever had, matching the previous total in 2010 (5).
Performances at the 2011 Winter Cup Challenge helped determine the 15 men who will comprise the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team through the 2011 Visa Championships in St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 17-20.
Updated 02-06-2011
READER COMMENTS
