Completed Event: Women's Gymnastics versus Auburn on April 4, 2025 , Win , 198.025, to, 196.950
Final
Women's Gymnastics
198.025
vs Auburn
196.950
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Profile: Jessica Kinder
February 08, 2009 | Women's Gymnastics
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A self-described "clumsy kid", Kinder's parents put her in a gymnastics program at the age of six simply hoping it would help her coordination.
Apparently it worked, and in the process she fell in love with the sport... and became very good at it.
Still, when it came time to choosing a college, Kinder didn't receive a lot of major offers. She decided to walk-on at OU because she loved the team, loved the coaches and loved the academic programs at the University.
Now a fifth-year senior, Kinder has since earned a scholarship and is competing in the all-around for the first time. She has had to work for everything she has gotten, and in the process she has learned more about herself than she could have ever imagined.
As for what Kinder accomplishes the remainder of this year, well... it's all just icing on the cake.
On her favorite event:
"It always changes, but my favorite event right now is probably bars just because I've never had a chance to compete bars in college, but usually it's floor."
On how she got her start in gymnastics:
"I started gymnastics when I was six years old. It's kind of funny story -- my parents actually put me in gymnastics because I was a really clumsy kid and wouldn't put my hands down when I fell. I think they were thinking I could get some coordination out of it."
On coming in as a walk-on and having to earn a scholarship:
"It definitely wasn't easy being a walk-on. I had to go through the whole process of proving myself and that I could be one of those kids who could be on scholarship, who could compete and be relied upon when the team needed me."
On competing in the all-around for the first time this year:
"I started out only exhibitioning on floor and vault. The next year I competed on vault and worked my way up to competing in three events. Competing in the all-around this year is just awesome because I never thought I would have the chance to compete all-around on such a great team with great teammates who are great competitors as well."
On the difference in her training regimen now that she's competing all-around:
"There isn't really more hours in the gym. We're all in here the same amount of time whether you're doing two events or doing four. There is definitely a lot more to do and you have less time to get your work done, so you have to be a lot more efficient with what you're doing."
On the team camaraderie at Oklahoma:
"The team is great here. It's definitely like a family. We're together almost 24/7 so we get along great and the coaches as well. We're all just big goofballs on the team."
On if that will be what she misses most once her career is over:
"Definitely. It's like having 15 sisters. Even our coaches sometimes act as our parents just because we don't have anybody here to look over us like our parents usually do."
On her goals for the remainder of the season:
"I've definitely already accomplished my individual goal of just competing in the all-around in all four events. I would love to just see my scores go up a little bit and place a little more. But more so, I would love to see the teams win the Big 12 again and also qualify for Super Six at nationals."
On what it's going to take for the team to get there:
"I definitely think we can do it this year. We are all working really hard in the gym and I think it's just a matter of putting it all together when it counts."
On what's in store for the future:
"I've already started grad school for athletics administration. I definitely want to stay involved with athletes. I love working with them and already have experience with it."
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