Around The World With Heath Mueller

OU men's gymnastics senior Heath Mueller checks in with a synopsis of his training efforts for the World University Games in Daegu, South Korea. The games run from Aug. 21-31 and feature current or recently graduated student-athletes from around the world.

The preparation for the World University Games has been a whirlwind experience, but something I have enjoyed immensely. To begin with I didn't expect be competing in it. I received word that I had been selected to the team three weeks ago when Oklahoma teammate Daniel Furney had to drop out due to a knee injury. OU head coach Mark Williams gave me a call right before my workout and told me I was in.

It has been difficult trying to get ready for such a prestigious competition with such a small time frame. I am thoroughly excited because this will be the first international meet of my career. On the other hand I knew it was going to be hard trying to get back into routine shape, because I have only been working on new skills for the past month and a half. I had been concentrating on improving and adding to my level of difficulty for the collegiate season which begins in January.

Of course as I began training for the University Games I came down with a cold. I had to push through it because time was short. My approach to my specific routines had to change. Normally, I would miss and fall this early into doing full sets and that would be part of the process, but I couldn't take that approach since the competition was only three weeks away. I had to change my mindset towards training and coach was reminding me to focus on consistency and hitting my sets.

During the second week of training things started to come together. I was hitting my routines and began to feel more confident going into Los Angeles, Calif., for the training camp. We are training in Southern California during the World Championships (OU assistant coach Guard Young is an alternate on the USA Team), so I will be able to take in some of the competition. Hopefully I can learn some things from Guard and the other competitors that will help my preparation.

I just want to help the team in any way possible to help us get a win in South Korea. I will check back in with an Around The World report when the games are completed in South Korea. In the mean time check SoonerSports.com for the latest updates from World Championships and the World University Games.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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