Leiter Wins Four Events; Huskers Fall to Sooners

The No. 10 Nebraska men's gymnastics team fell to No. 7 Oklahoma Sunday night by a score of 226.375-217.825 Sunday evening in front of 893 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Without all-arounders Jason Hardabura and Grant Clinton, who did not compete because of injuries, the Huskers scored less than 220 for the second straight meet en route to falling to 5-3 on the season. Oklahoma, which had split the two previous meetings with the Huskers, improves to 5-2 on the season.

NU senior co-captain Derek Leiter (Lincoln, Neb.) provided the Huskers with a spark, winning three events en route to winning the all-around with a season-high score of 57.50. In the Huskers' six meets this season, the senior co-caption has won four all-around titles and earned runner-up finishes on two other occasions.

One of four Huskers competing in his final home meet, Leiter placed first on vault with a career high of 9.95, earning a 10 from one judge. Leiter also earned top honors on high bar (9.80) and pommel horse (9.70).

"That was definitely the best vault I have ever done and it was one of the better high bar routines of my career," Leiter said. "It was sad to compete in my last home meet tonight, but I really wanted to push that aside and do well."

Tonight's meet was the final home appearance for Leiter, Blake Bukacek, Asher Lichterman and Marshall Nelson.

The Huskers closed to within 150.775-149.175 after four events, but the Sooners extended their lead as the Huskers' lack of depth forced the Huskers to three scores of 8.10 or lower.

For Oklahoma, Daniel Furney (floor exercise), Dave Johnston (still rings) and Everette Bierker (parallel bars) all captured event titles as the Sooners did not have an all-arounder in their lineup this evening.

The Huskers travel to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions next Saturday, March 4, at 6 p.m. (CST).

"I think we are going to get Grant back for Penn State and that will help us a lot," NU Coach Francis Allen said. "We have some tough meets coming up, but we are continue to fight."

All-Around
1. Derek Leiter, NU	57.50
2. Martin Fournier, NU	52.45
Floor Exercise
1. Brendan O'Neil, OU	9.65
Daniel Furney, OU	9.65
3. Steve Van Etten, OU	9.50
Pommel Horse
1. Derek Leiter, NU	9.70
Daniel Furney, OU	9.70
3. Gabe Hansen, OU	9.55
Still Rings
1. Dave Johnston, OU	9.75
2. Derek Leiter, NU	9.65
3. Asher Lichterman, NU	9.45
Vault
1. Derek Leiter, NU	9.95
2. Daniel Furney, OU	9.575
Brendan O'Neil, OU	9.575
Parallel Bars
1. Everette Bierker, OU	9.625
2. Brenden O' Neil, OU	9.425
3. Gabe Hansen, OU	9.45
High Bar
1. Derek Leiter, NU	9.80
2. Steve Van Etten, OU	9.75
3. Daniel Furney, OU	9.45