Game Day: Oklahoma Sooners Visit St. John Arena to Test the Buckeyes – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/19/1999 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
February 19, 1999
Jamie Natalie had a stellar weekend for the Buckeyes in Las Vegas at the Winter Cup Challenge. He was only one of two NCAA and Big Ten gymnasts to be selected to the prestigious US National Team. Former Buckeye Blaine Wilson won the competition, while Natalie finished seventh. Head coach Miles Avery said, “I certainly think there could not have been a more spectacular accomplishment for a Big Ten athlete last week.” Natalie said of the experience, “It is a great feeling knowing I could hang in there with some of the best guys in the country. Its exciting, and an honor to be selected to the U.S. National Team.”
UP NEXT: THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS
The Buckeye senior class and the rest of the squad (10-1/9-1) put their undefeated dual-meet home record on the line this weekend when they play host to Oklahoma (5-3). The class owns an incredible 22-1 career dual meet record, with an unblemished record at home. While Oklahoma is a perennially strong team, the Sooners will have to compensate for injuries to their top two gymnasts. The Sooners have one All-American returning in Todd Bishop, who was the National Champion on the Pommel Horse, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar.
AN ALL-AROUND TOP BUCKEYE TRIO
Ohio State has three gymnasts ranked in the top ten in the country for the all-around competition. Doug Stibel is seventh, Jamie Natalie eighth and Tim Elsner tenth. The trio has turned in consistent top marks throughout the season to achieve the rankings.
NEW HOME FOR BUCKEYE GYMNASTICS
This season the Buckeyes will move into their permanent home, storied St. John Arena. The historic arena was built in 1956 and has a seating capacity of 13,276. The home advantage OSU experienced in the past at Larkins Hall will definitely intensify with the move down the street. “We can walk in and say this is where we compete for all our events,” Avery said. “You dont get to compete in an arena like this unless its for the national championship. To compete and get comfortable in an arena of this size and for your everyday dual meets takes the pressure or stress off when youre at the bigger meets.” The Buckeyes have a perfect unbeaten dual-meet streak at home and look to continue their success throughout this season. THE BUCKEYES ARE THIRD IN THE POLLS
In the latest Coaches Poll, the Buckeyes are third. The full poll is as follows:
1. Penn State 2. Iowa 3. Ohio State 4. Michigan 5. Oklahoma 6. Nebraska 7. Illinois 8. Michigan State 9. California 10. BYU
NO LET DOWN IN SEASON’S INTENSITY
Next weekend the Buckeyes will host No. One ranked Penn State in a coed meet in St. John Arena. Ohio State will find out how it stands against the top of the conference. The Nittany Lions are paced by Ron Roeder who won the floor exercise, rings and parallel bars last weekend in a Penn State win over Army. Only Penn State and Iowa are undefeated in the Big Ten. Iowa gave the Buckeyes its only loss of the season, coming at the Windy City Invitational.
