How OU men's gymnastics is aiming to take down reigning champion Stanford for MPSF title

NORMAN — Ahead of the MPSF Championship on Saturday, OU men’s gymnastics have already competed against two of the three teams it will face during its last meet in Palo Alto, California.

The Sooners defeated California 410.500-404.950, but lost to Stanford 421.150-410.500 on March 16. Having defeated Air Force twice and the Golden Bears, Oklahoma’s focus is on the Cardinal.

Stanford has won four consecutive national championships and rules the sport. What, if anything, can OU take away from its meet three weeks ago?

“Stanford’s a good team,” Sooners head coach Mark Williams said. “We didn't have Fuzzy Benas with us, so they had a bit of an advantage on us that way and being at home, but we're not that far off. We had a pretty good meet. So we needed to bring back the energy here. I think getting Fuzzy in the lineup and having a home advantage will be big for us if we get a decent crowd, and I think we can level the playing field.”

Having Benas back will certainly help Williams’ group. The sophomore was named a College Gymnastics Association All-American in the all-around and on parallel bars Thursday.

More: How OU women's gymnastics can book its ticket to the NCAA Championships on Saturday

Oklahoma also owns a winning streak at McCasland Field House dating back 17 years.

“We’ve learned a lot,” said fifth-year senior Jack Freeman, who will compete in his final home meet on Saturday. “Stanford is our biggest competition, so we learned how we are able to handle that pressure in the regular season, and we had some ups and we had some downs. But using last weekend going into this weekend is another opportunity to show our best and step up when we're under pressure.”

OU’s (9-3, 4-1) battle for the MPSF Championship begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at McCasland Field House.

“We made a few mistakes in high bar (last time vs. the Cardinal) and we're gonna have to have a really really consistent meet,” Williams said. “We have done that at times and then we've had times when we've given some guys rest and our placements haven't been quite as consistent. So, health wise, we're in really good shape. We're putting our best team forward, we understand what we're up against.

“Stanford's four national champions in consecutive years and we’ve been there before. At some point, the reign ends, maybe that's our time to do it, this Saturday.”

More: Oklahoma women's gymnastics team aims for some redemption vs. Michigan in NCAA regional

From gridiron to gymnastics

During OU football’s newcomer media day, Purdue transfer wide receiver Deion Burks bragged about his gymnastics skills.

After the Sooners’ men’s gymnastics team and Burks inquired about linking for a gym session, Oklahoma athletics made it happen. Burks held his own to say the least, executing a backflip into the foam pit and on the floor.

“Everybody's trying to do social media, trying to draw a little attention to the program,” Williams said. “He surprised all of us to be able to do a runup backflip on the floor and do a muscle up the first time he tried. Those are pretty hard for even guys that are learning gymnastics, so we were impressed with them and I think he had a little fun.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's gymnastics prepared for shot at reigning champion Stanford