LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Oklahoma men’s gymnastics redshirt sophomore Fuzzy Benas was named to the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team and alumnus Yul Moldauer won the all-around title at USA Gymnastics Winter Cup this weekend at the Kentucky International Convention Center.
Benas tied for fifth place in the all-around, earning a spot on the Senior National Team, which was announced Sunday evening. Moldauer, who also won the floor exercise title, had already secured his place as a member of the national team. The Winter Cup all-around title was Moldauer’s fourth.
Benas compiled a total two-day all-around score of 163.600, comprised of an 82.950 on Sunday and an 80.650 on Friday. He stood in eighth place in the all-around after Friday’s round of competition and climbed the standings on Sunday to finish in a fifth-place tie. The Richmond, Texas, product scored highest on vault, with a combined 29.050 score (14.650 on Friday and 14.400 on Sunday). He also placed fifth on parallel bars with a combined score of 28.400, and totaled 27.200 on floor exercise (10th), 27.050 on still rings (12th), 26.150 on high bar (13th) and 25.750 on pommel horse (14th).
“I’m really proud of Fuzzy, especially on the second day. He really had a great performance,” Oklahoma head coach Mark Williams said. “After the year that he’s had battling through injuries, it’s pretty impressive that in his first opportunity to make the national team, he was able to do that. I’m excited for his ability to be a national team member, and he’ll hopefully get some opportunities in the future as a member of the team.”
OU senior Jack Freeman competed on high bar and placed fourth with a two-day total of 27.450 (13.950 on Friday and 13.500 on Sunday). Sophomore Ignacio Yockers competed on pommel horse and finished fifth with a total score of 27.500 (14.250 on Friday and 13.250 on Sunday). Freshman Colin Flores began Winter Cup as an all-around competitor but had to withdraw after sustaining an injury on the second event on Friday.
Moldauer won the all-around title with a combined score of 169.750, including an 85.300 on Sunday and an 84.450 on Friday. He won the floor exercise title with a 28.800 total and placed second on parallel bars with a combined 30.400 (15.000 on Friday and 15.400 on Sunday). He also registered a 28.850 on vault, 28.350 on rings (fourth), 27.100 on pommel horse (seventh) and 26.250 on high bar (12th).
As a member of the Men’s Senior National Team, Benas has qualified for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships and is on a path to compete at U.S. Olympic Trials this summer. The 2024 USA Gymnastics Championships will be held June 22-26 in Minneapolis, Minn., followed by the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Gymnastics, June 27-30 in Minneapolis.
A current or former OU gymnast has won the men’s senior all-around title at Winter Cup in nine of the last 15 years, dating back to 2010: Chris Brooks (2010 and ’14), Jake Dalton (2011 and ’13), Moldauer (2017, ’19, ’23 and ’24) and Vitaliy Guimaraes (2022).
For updates and more information on Oklahoma men’s gymnastics, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_MGymnastics) and like Oklahoma Men’s Gymnastics on Facebook.
Get Local News!
