Looks like these injuries are going to haunt Oklahoma’s run in the much-anticipated Winter Cup! It is scheduled to take place from 21-23 February. The Sooners were supposed contenders as they were coming off a strong third-place finish in last year’s NCAA Men’s gymnastics championships. But, they have faced a major obstacle in dealing with injuries this season. As the full roster for the Winter Cup is revealed, a big name from Oklahoma Gymnastics seems to be missing.

The Sooners have five qualified gymnasts who will represent them in this year’s Winter Cup. But sadly, Tas Hajdu will not compete in this year’s Winter Cup. On February 20, Oklahoma Men’s Gymnastics shared the names of the gymnasts on their official ‘X’ handle. They wrote, “Fuzzy Benas, Kelton Christiansen, Brigham Frentheway and Ignacio Yockers will represent the Sooners at Winter Cup. OU signees Sasha Bogonosiuk and Nathan Roman will also compete this weekend. Tas Hajdu will no longer compete as he rests a sore shoulder. Yul Moldauer also qualified for Winter Cup but will not compete.”

Sophomore Tas Hajdu was on the list of qualified gymnasts, but he will not be competing now as he is dealing with a shoulder injury. Also, Hajdu was not a part of the lineup for Oklahoma’s home meet against Michigan last weekend. We don’t the exact status, and what and why of the injury yet. But Oklahoma’s men’s gymnastics head coach Mark Williams updated on Hajdu’s injury by tweeting on the very same day, “Tas Hajdu made the hard decision to pass on his qualified spot due to shoulder soreness in order to rest for second half of NCAA season.”

He has been a key competitor for Sooners, in the meet against Stanford University on February 8th, he scored a solid 14.150 on the rings. In 2024, he competed in 9 out of 12 meets and earned CGA Regular Season All-American honors on still rings. Hajdu also claimed two individual event titles in the same category as well. During high school, Hajdu came second on the still rings and fifth on vault at the 2023 Men’s Development Program National Championships. Thus, his absence from the Winter Cup would be felt by the Sooners.

But, despite the challenges with injuries, Oklahoma remains a powerhouse in college gymnastics. The team remains unbeaten against its last 78 regular-season opponents in the field house. Although the Sooners would be affected by Tas’s absence in the Winter Cup, the hopes remain high, thanks to other Sooners who will be showing up.

Sooners that will be competing in Winter Cup 2025 Domestic Season 

USA Gymnastics Winter Cup is ready to kick off from this Friday through Sunday at the Kentucky Convention Center in Louisville. The Winter Cup is the first elite gymnastics competition of the year. As for Oklahoma men’s gymnastics Hajdu’s absence will be a big blow for Winter Cup. However, they have other big names on the roster as well. The biggest would be the US National team member Fuzzy Benas, who is also still recovering from an injury. He was pre-qualified for the all-around, but it looks like he will only compete in floor exercise and vault.

Other teammates Frentheway, Christiansen and Yockers are also qualified and they will be competing in floor exercise, high bar and pommel horse respectively. This will be the Ignacio Yockers’ third time competing at the Winter Cup. Whereas senior Frentheway will be competing for the first time.

But he is also one to be definitely watched for! He was named the MPSF Gymnast of the Week. Frentheway also reached a season-best 55.450 on his four events, getting a season-high 14.000 with third place on the floor. He also made a career-high 13.850 on still rings to help win over Michigan and Simpson on February 15th.

With a mix of seasoned competitors and rising talents, the Sooners will look to make a strong impression at the Winter Cup. Despite Hajdu’s absence Oklahoma still has the depth and skill to perform well on the national stage and their participating gymnasts will be aiming to make a mark in this elite competition.