Coach Williams Answers Your Questions

March 19, 2001

Q: My friend and I are planning to come to your home meet next weekend and we were wondering if the gymnasts found it distracting to have people cheering for them while they were competing. Do large rowdy crowds make the nervous or do they find it inspirational?
Nathan, Norman, Okla.

A: Loud and excited crowds make any gymnastics event more exciting for participants and spectators alike. The gymnasts performing are trained to "tune out" all outside distractions, including a cheering, crowd but the extra enthusiasm helps pump athletes up before a routine and encourages their teammates, so feel to cheer as loud as you like!

Q: Does being ranked number one change your strategy for the season and does it have any effect on your post-season placement?
Paul, Dallas, Texas

A: Being ranked number one is an honor and has helped fuel our teams enthusiasm for each and every meet. It has also allowed our team to rest various gymnasts and create opportunities for other athletes who may otherwise have been unable to compete. We have had a different line-up at almost every meet the past five weeks and have still maintained the top ranking. Going into the post season, we will be placed in the NCAA National Championship qualifying round based on our ranking. This will allow us to choose the event we start on and whether we will be in the afternoon or evening session. But, after that, the eventual outcome of championships is determined by our performance at that meet, not by any ranking we held during the regular season.

Q: I'm an OU fan who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. I want to come to Columbus to watch you guys win NCAAs (I know you will). How do I get tickets?
Trevor, Cleveland, Ohio

A: The Ohio State ticket office will be selling tickets for the NCAA Championships. You can order tickets by calling 1-800-GO-BUCKS or get more information online by clicking here.

Q: It seems like you've had a lot of injuries this season. Is that normal for gymnastics or was this just bad luck? Also, when will Gabe Hansen be back in the lineup?
Marshall, Bartlesville, Okla.

A: Whenever you have athletes performing at a high level the potential for injury is there. Last year we were lucky to have relatively few injuries. This year we have had a few more, but I still think our team has been, for the most part, quite healthy. The rules for the sport changed dramatically this year, increasing the difficulty each gymnast needs to perform and that may something do with the slightly higher occurrence of injuries. Gabe Hansen, who suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the season, competed on three events for our team at the Southwest Cup (March 3). We hope to have Gabe back at full strength soon.

Q: I know you're ranked number one, so I thought I'd ask who you think your toughest competition will be this year at nationals. Or do you feel confident you'll win no matter what?
Kevin, Breakford, Wis.

A: I think our toughest challengers are 1999 champions Michigan, NCAA hosts Ohio State, 1997-98 champs Cal and Illinois, which is a rapidly proving squad. Any one of those teams could win the NCAA title if they had their best day during NCAA team finals. Of course I hope that Oklahoma will be emerge as the best on April 6 in Columbus. I think we have the potential to match, and beat, all of the teams I mentioned.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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