Velez Belendez Named CGA Co-Specialist of the Week

NORMAN – Oklahoma men's gymnastics sophomore Francisco Velez Belendez was named the CGA national Co-Specialist of the Week after his performance in Oklahoma's win over No. 8 California, the College Gymnastics Association announced Wednesday.

Velez Belendez's performance helped lead the No. 1 Sooners to the highest team score in the nation on Saturday (331.600) in the third-straight meet where OU set a national-season high.

Velez Belendez set a new career high on still rings with a 14.400 to win the event title. His score was a team-high on rings this season and the third-highest score in the nation on the event. He also scored a 12.850 on floor exercise in his first collegiate floor routine. Velez Belendez's 5.1 difficulty score on still rings was the highest on the event, and he stuck his dismount. The San Juan, Puerto Rico, product ranks second nationally on still rings with a 13.867 four-score average.

OU has now won seven CGA weekly awards this season. Freshman Sasha Bogonosiuk won CGA Rookie of the Week on March 4 and Jan. 22. redshirt senior Fuzzy Benas was named CGA Gymnast of the Week on Feb. 11 and Specialist of the Week on Feb. 4, redshirt freshman Colby Aranda was named CGA Rookie of the Week on Feb. 11, and freshman Nathan Roman won CGA Rookie of the Week on Jan. 28.

Up Next

Oklahoma will take a week off from competition, before heading to Berkely, Calif., for a rematch with California. It is the regular season finale and will take place on March 21 at 6 p.m. CT.

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