Oklahoma Sooners women's gymnastics

The Oklahoma Sooners women's gymnastics team represents the University of Oklahoma in NCAA competition and competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Sooners have won nineteen conference championships, 15 NCAA Regional championships, and have appeared in 21 NCAA National Championships. In 2014, the Sooners won the program's first-ever team national title in the first-ever NCAA gymnastics championships tie, tying with Florida with a score of 198.175. The Sooners have had eighteen individual national champions, 202 NCAA All-Americans, and four Honda Awards (two to Kelly Garrison, Maggie Nichols, and Anastasia Webb).

Oklahoma Sooners
Founded1981
UniversityUniversity of Oklahoma
Athletic directorJoe Castiglione
Head coachK.J. Kindler (17th season)
ConferenceSEC
LocationNorman, Oklahoma
Home arenaLloyd Noble Center (Capacity: 11,562)
NicknameSooners
ColorsCrimson and cream[1]
   
National championships
2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023
Four on the Floor appearances
2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Super Six appearances
2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
NCAA Regional championships
2004, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
NCAA Tournament appearances
1985, 1989, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024
Conference championships
1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 , 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024

Some notable former and current OU gymnasts include Kelly Garrison, Chelle Stack, Hollie Vise, Natasha Kelley, McKenzie Wofford, Brenna Dowell, Maggie Nichols, Anastasia Webb, Ragan Smith, Jordan Bowers, and Faith Torrez.

History

edit

The Sooners gymnastics team was founded in 1981 under head coach Paul Ziert, who led the Sooners to three regional championships and two NCAA tournament appearances. The Sooners won their first five Big Eight Conference titles beginning in 1984 under coach Becky Switzer. Steve Nunno added another Big 12 Conference title in 2004.

Current head coach K. J. Kindler took over the program before the 2007 season; the Sooners qualified to their first Super Six team final in 2010, finishing 2nd. In 2014, Oklahoma became the sixth school to win an NCAA gymnastics team title (following Alabama, Utah, Georgia, UCLA and Florida). The 2014 Super Six final was the first to end in a tie, giving Oklahoma their first title and Florida their second straight.

At the 2024 Big 12 Championships, the Sooners gymnastics team earned a score of 198.950, which became the new highest score in college gymnastics history and broke the twenty-year-old record (198.875) set by UCLA and Stanford in 2004.[2]

Super Six appearances

edit
Oklahoma Sooners Super Six Appearances
Year Finish
2010 2nd
2011 3rd
2013 2nd
2014 1st
2015 3rd
2016 1st
2017 1st
2018 2nd

Four on the Floor appearances

edit
Oklahoma Sooners Four on the Floor Appearances
Year Finish
2019 1st
2021 2nd
2022 1st
2023 1st

Honours

edit

National championships

edit
Season Record Head coach
2014 31–2–1 K.J. Kindler
2016 38–1–0 K.J. Kindler
2017 33–0–0 K.J. Kindler
2019 32–0–0 K.J. Kindler
2022 31–2–0 K.J. Kindler
2023 28–2–0 K.J. Kindler

Conference championships

edit
Season Conference Head coach
1984 Big Eight Becky Switzer
1985 Big Eight Becky Switzer
1986 Big Eight Becky Switzer
1991 Big Eight Becky Switzer
1993 Big Eight Becky Switzer
2004 Big 12 Steve Nunno
2008 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2009 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2010 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2012 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2013 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2014 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2015 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2016 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2017 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2018 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2019 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2022 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2023 Big 12 K.J. Kindler
2024 Big 12 K.J. Kindler

Roster

edit

2024–25 Roster

edit
Name Height Year Hometown
Elizabeth Blessey 5-5 FR Mandeville, LA
Jordan Bowers 5-6 SR Lincoln, NE
Audrey Davis 5-3 GR Frisco, TX
Addison Fatta 5-2 FR Wrightsville, PA
Danae Fletcher 5-3 SR Philadelphia, PA
Aspen Lenczner 5-2 SO Oak Creek, WI
Elle Mueller 5-2 FR Ham Lake, MN
Lily Pederson 4-10 FR White Bear Lake, MN
Hannah Scheible 5-3 SO Kimball, MI
Ava Siegfelt 5-6 JR Williamsburg, VA
Danielle Sievers 5-5 SR Gary, SD
Kelsey Slade 5-1 FR Vail, AZ
Caitlin Smith 5-1 SO Houston, TX
Addisyn Snow FR Norman, OK
Faith Torrez 5-1 JR Bristol, WI
Keira Wells 5-2 SO Augusta, KS

Coaches

edit
  • Head coach: K. J. Kindler
  • Assistant coach: Lou Ball
  • Assistant coach: Tom Hale

Past Olympians

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Colors – OU Brand Guide". OU.edu/Brand. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "Oklahoma women's gymnastics team wins Big 12 championship with NCAA-record score". The Oklahoman. March 24, 2024.
edit

Official website