Cleveland Loves the OU Mens Gymnastics Team! They are a wonderful group of guys coached by Mark Williams.

Coach Williams is a former English teacher and knows how important mentoring can be! When I called him three years

ago and asked if he would be interested in becoming our partner he was thrilled. The guys may not get recognized

at the mall as much as an OU football player but at Cleveland they are STARS! The guys are back again this year

and currently working in 14 different classrooms. The team will participate in our Jog-A-Thon and our Family Fun

Night! We will have a Cleveland Goes to the Gymnastics Meet in Early 2008!

Check back often for updates and more pictures.

Learn more about the guys on www.SoonerSports.com

Checkout this postcard from Germany from Jonathan Horton

Jake Messina works with Mrs. Pearson’s Kindergartners. He was our VOLUNTEER of the YEAR last year and was nominated for Norman’s United Way Volunteer of the year. He is fantastic with kids! He also plays guitar. He is from Matthews, North Carolina.

Chris Brooks is working with Mrs. Ferguson’s Kindergarten class. Chris is from Houston, Texas and is majoring in business at OU.

He is new to Kindergarten this year and the kids have already “flipped” for Chris!

Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons (TAW-KEY) is a third year volunteer at Cleveland. He is known for having a group called THE TAQIY’S TROOPS

cheer for him from Cleveland. He is from Philadelphia, Pa and was last years NCAA individual National Champion!

You can hear kids chant TAW-KEY TAW-KEY when he is around! He is working with Mrs. Smith’s first grade this year.

Ian Jacokson has one of the best smiles on the team! He is what we call our CLEVELAND BABY! He was being recruited by OU in 2006 and was on a visit to OU when Cleveland had their Cleveland goes to the Gymnastics meet night. He was so impressed with the support and mentoring program he signed on the OU dotted line. So we claim Ian as a the recruiting victory. Ian is working with Mrs. Ayres third grade class and is from Harrisburg, Pa.

Corey English will be working again with Mrs. Kays second grade class. Corey is from Covington, Louisiana. He is majoring in petroleum engineering. Corey is a great dancer and loves his time at Cleveland.

C.J. Grimes is working with Mrs. Warren’s second grade class this year. C.J. is a walk on for the team and a very hard worker. He is also a super volunteer. Mrs. Warren’s class will love working with him.

Bobby Shortle is a new member of the OU gymnastics team. He will be working with Mrs. Abla’s second grade class.

The kids already think he is pretty cool! We can’t wait to get to know him better.

Jason Laughton is from Northridge, California. Jason is working Mrs. Cabbiness forth grade class this year. Jason plays guitar and is majoring

in business at OU. Jason may seem a little quiet when you first meet him but once you get to know him you’ll love his personality.

Garrett Carr also known as G-Carr (He had a brother on last years gymnastics team known as B-Carr) will be working with Mrs. Honeycutt’s Kindergarten class. He is from Mandeville, Louisiana and majoring in business.

Reed Pitts is from McKinney, Texas and is working with Mrs. Bell’s music kids this year. In fact Mrs. Bell knew Reed even before he became a Sooner so he is extra special to Mrs. Bell. Reed is majoring in health and exercise science. Reed has a very funny personality and has a great time with the kids!

Steve Legendre is a brand new member of the OU gymnastics team. He will be working with Mrs. Daniels Pre-K class.

We can’t wait to get to know him better.

Russ Czeschin is by far the TALLEST gymnast I have ever met. He stands 6’3’ tall! Amazing huh! Russ is from Independence, Missouri. He is working with Mrs. Trent’s Kindergarten class. He is majoring in health and exercise science . Mrs. Trent’s class loves to make a fuss for Russ!

What can you say about Jonathan Horton? This Houston, Texas native is very close to being an Olympian! Jonathon just got back from Germany and won a really cool medal there. Due to Jonathon’s CRAZY schedule he will be working with the students in Mrs. Bell’s class on a drop in basis. However it is always a treat when Jonathan drops by!

Kyle McNamara is from Littleton, Colorado and majoring in finance at OU. He will be working with Mr. Andrews forth grade class this year. Kyle has does a great job with the kids.

Eric Cuevas is new to the OU gymnastics team this year. He is working with Mrs. Gore’s 4^th grade class.

You’re going love meeting Coach Williams. He has a new baby named Cooper!

Coach Rustam Sharipov he is from Russia! He also won a gold medal at the 1990 Olympics as a member of the Unified Team.

Coach Daniel Furney was a member of the OU gymnastics teams that won National Championships in 2002 and 2003.

Check out past pictures of the guys volunteering!

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