GYMNASTICS: Horton is one of 11 finalists for 2007 AAU Sullivan Award

ORLANDO, Fla.-Jonathan Horton of Houston, who finished fourth in the all-around at the 2007 World Championships, is one of 11 amateur athletes chosen as finalists for the 2007 AAU James E. Sullivan Award. The winner will be chosen by votes cast by AAU officials, U.S. Olympic Committee members and college sports information directors, with those cast online or by text counting one-third toward the final tally. Voting ends March 10, and the winner will be announced on April 1. Fans may vote online or by sending a text message. To vote online, go to http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-02-21-sullivan-award_N.htm. To vote via phone, text AAUVOTE3 to 44636 to vote for Jonathan Horton."We are thrilled that Jonathan is one of the 11 finalists for the Sullivan Award,"said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics."This recognition for Jonathan's achievements is certainly well deserved, especially his performances at the World Championships and the Tyson American Cup. We urge gymnastics fans across the country to vote for Jonathan, either online or by text."A senior at the University of Oklahoma, Horton became just the fifth U.S. man to finish in the top four at an Olympic Games or a World Championships with his fourth-place finish at the 2007 World Championships. He also was a member of the U.S. Men's Team that finished fourth at the 2007 World Championships, which qualified the USA to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games. At 22 he is one of the younger athletes on the senior national team. Horton won his second straight Tyson American Cup earlier in 2007, as well as took top honors in the all-around at the USA/Ukraine/Russia meet in June. Horton competes on Oklahoma's men's gymnastics team under the leadership of Mark Williams. At the 2007 NCAA Championships, he won titles on floor and high bar. Horton also earned All-America honors in the all-around, high bar, floor, rings and vault. He broke Olympic champ Bart Conner's OU records for career NCAA titles at five and career All-America honors with 15. In addition to Horton, the finalists are: Brian Duncan, Texas Tech, football; Thomas Finchum, Indianapolis, diving; Jeff Lerg, Michigan State, ice hockey; Jamie Lovemark, Southern California, golf; Katie Marano, Albany, N.Y., wrestling; Robert Pillow IV, Anchorage, Alaska, basketball; Philippa Raschker, Marietta, Ga., track and field; Tim Tebow, Florida, football; Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo., wrestling; and Angela Tincher, Virginia Tech, softball. Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards and older than The Heisman, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character. Kurt Thomas (1979) and Paul Hamm (2004) are the only gymnasts to have won this honor. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more complete information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org. #