Michigan
Oklahoma
Michigan Defeats Two-Time NCAA Champion Oklahoma
1/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In front of a wild, enthusiastic sellout crowd of 1,760 fans in Cliff Keen Arena Saturday night, the No. 1 University of Michigan men's gymnastics team defeated No. 3 Oklahoma 221.600-218.000. The Wolverines claimed three event titles, led by sophomore Scott Bregman (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence Free State HS), who claimed the Newt Loken award for posting a 9.8 on the floor exercise.
Entering the final session of the evening with a running score of 184.200-182.600, the Maize and Blue had a slight edge, but claimed the victory after taking first, second and third on the high bar. Fifth-year senior co-captain Justin Laury (Marietta, Ga./McEachern HS) tied for first place with sophomore Joe Catrambone (Deptford, N.J./Gloucester Catholic HS) as each posted an average score of 9.450. Catrambone set a new personal-best on the high bar with his tally, increasing his average by 0.300 points. Senior/junior co-captain Andrew Elkind (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East HS) came in third with an average of 9.350, increasing his career-best by 0.150 points.
Michigan opened the meet on the floor exercise, posting a total of 37.900 to tie with Oklahoma's total of 37.900. Bregman's career-best performance of 9.800, tying for first place with OU's Jonathan Horton, kept U-M within striking distance. Sophomore Kent Caldwell (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin HS) took third place with an average of 9.550.
On the pommel horse, the Wolverines posted a total of 35.950, beating out the Sooners by 1.850 to win the event. With victory on the pommel, the Maize and Blue jumped out to a running score lead of 73.850 to OU's 72.000. Laury led the way for the Wolverines with a first place performance of 9.250. In second place, junior/sophomore Paul Woodward (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles HS) was 0.250 points behind with an average of 9.050.
Michigan won the rings with a total of 37.650 to Oklahoma's 37.200. Elkind took first place with a career-best average of 9.650. Senior Aaron Rakes (Lexington, Ky./Dunbar HS) tied for third place with a personal-record of 9.450.
The Wolverines fell short of winning the vault with by 0.650 points with a total of 35.350 to the Sooners' 36.000. On the rings, junior Daniel Rais (Livonia, Mich./Franklin HS) posted the highest Maize and Blue average of 9.000, which was good enough for third place.
After the first four sessions, Michigan had a running score of 146.850 to Oklahoma's 145.200.
Despite being outscored on the p-bars 37.350-37.400, the Wolverines maintained a running score lead of 184.200-182.600. On the parallel bars, Laury took third place, tying his career-best of 9.500. Elkind and freshman Mel Santander (Southborough, Mass./Algonquin Regional HS) finished third and fourth, respectively.
The Wolverines hit the road to battle Big Ten foe Penn State on Saturday (Feb. 3) in State College, Pa. Action begins at 7 p.m.
Final Team Standings
| Team Scores | FX | PH | SR | V | PB | HB | Total |
| 1. MICHIGAN | 37.900 | 35.950 | 37.650 | 35.350 | 37.350 | 37.400 | 221.600 |
| 2. Oklahoma | 37.900 | 34.100 | 37.200 | 36.000 | 37.400 | 35.400 | 218.000 |
Event-By-Event U-M Individual Scores
Floor Exercise Mel Santander 9.100 Ralph Rosso 9.350 Daniel Rais 9.200 Scott Bregman 9.800 (t1) Kent Caldwell 9.550 (4) Pommel Horse Ralph Rosso 8.350 Paul Woodward 9.050 (2) DJ Chan 8.350 Justin Laury 9.250 (1) Mel Santander 8.900 (4) Andrew Elkind 8.750 (5) Rings Joe Catrambone 9.100 Aaron Rakes 9.450 (t3) Torrance Laury 9.250 Ralph Rosso 9.000 Justin Laury 9.300 (t5) Andrew Elkind 9.650 (1) Vault Joe Catrambone 7.600 Scott Bregman 8.400 Kent Caldwell 8.600 Torrance Laury 8.900 (t5) Daniel Rais 9.000 (3) Ralph Rosso 8.850 Parallel Bars Mel Santander 9.300 (5) Paul Woodward 9.150 Torrance Laury 9.100 Andrew Elkind 9.400 (4) Justin Laury 9.500 (3) Joe Catrambone 9.150 High Bar Mel Santander 8.950 Daniel Rais 9.150 (5) Aaron Rakes 8.850 Andrew Elkind 9.350 (3) Justin Laury 9.450 (t1) Joe Catrambone 9.450 (t1) ( ) Place in Top 5
Contact: Joseph Conrad (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
