CHAMPAIGN, IL - William and Mary sophomore gymnast Ramon Jackson (Orlando, FL) rose to the biggest challenge of his young career by stepping up and capturing the national title on the parallel bar event this afternoon at the 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Gymnastics Championships Sunday afternoon on the campus of the University of Illinois.

"This is what intercollegiate athletics is all about," glowed 31-year Tribe Head Coaching veteran Cliff Gauthier. "A William and Mary scholar who has designed his own major becomes a national champion. This victory is a real testament to his hard work and his ability to take advantage of his opportunity to compete for William and Mary. On top of it all, this really couldn't have happened to a nicer person."

Jackson, who posted the third-best qualifying score in Saturday's second round action to advance to today's finals, was the 10th, and final, performer on event. He entered the meet having carried the nation's second best season average on the parallel bars (9.390) and he stepped up to compete this afternoon after having just watched what was widely considered his two biggest competitors (Penn State's Luis Vargas and Illinois' Justin Spring) slightly miss on their respective routines. Jackson snatched the opportunity and swung to a solid, if not spectacular, 9.2 mark, just edging out Iowa's Linas Gaveika (9.187) for the gold.

"I came into this event looking to finish in the top three, so winning it all isn't bad " remarked and understated Jackson, who has not been defeated through 11 competitions this season on the event. "I was just looking to hit everything in my routine; especially after watching my two biggest competitors (Vargas and Spring) both miss before I went. I was nervous, but I managed to keep my focus and take advantage of the opportunity."

By taking the national title, Jackson joins former W&M great Scott McCall (1996, rings) as the only Tribe gymnasts to claim national championships. He is the fourth gymnast to earn NCAA All-American honors, joining McCall, Sebronzik Wright (second on vault in 1994) and Tom Serena (1983, vault). He becomes the first to earn the distinction as an underclassman and has two seasons remaining.

The Tribe has one more team competition remaining on the season, as it will travel to the United State Collegiate Gymnastics National Championships next weekend (Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10). The event is hosted by the Texas Women's University in Denton, TX.