University of Oklahoma Athletics

Intrasquad Set for Friday

Sooners Ranked Second to Open 2015

December 13, 2014 | Women's Gymnastics

Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank Team Points
1 Florida (19) * 756
2 Oklahoma (8) 746
3 LSU (2) * 689
4 Alabama * 669
5 UCLA (1) 618
6 Utah (1) 604
7 Georgia 596
8 Michigan * 540
9 Nebraska 531
10 Stanford 525
11 Oregon State 413
12 Auburn 364
13 Arkansas * 348
14 California 326
15 Illinois * 299
16 Penn State 297
17 Minnesota * 225
18 Ohio State 197
19 Boise State 195
20 Denver * 188
21 Arizona 178
22 Kentucky * 172
23 Central Michigan 117
24 Washington 80
25 Iowa State * 60
* indicates 2015 opponent

NORMAN -- The defending NCAA Champion Oklahoma women's gymnastics team was picked No. 2 in the 2015 preseason coaches' poll released Saturday. The No. 2 preseason ranking is the best for OU in program history, topping the previous record of No. 3 set last year. OU received eight first-place votes in the ranking.

A mere 10 points separated the second-ranked Sooners (746 points) and No. 1 Florida (756 points) in the standings. Oklahoma and the Gators tied for the 2014 NCAA Women's Gymnastics team title last season with a championship-record score of 198.175. 

LSU (No. 3), Alabama (No. 4) and UCLA (No. 5) rounded out the top five spots of the poll.

This season's poll marks the fifth straight year that Oklahoma has been ranked in the top five nationally to begin the season. OU was slated No. 3 in 2014 and picked fourth in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Oklahoma has now opened ten consecutive seasons ranked in the top 10 nationally and the last 15 years ranked in the top 25. The Sooners have been ranked in the preseason top 10 every season under head coach K.J. Kindler

The Sooners are set to face three of the nation's top five teams in the preseason this year, including a rematch between champions on March 6 that will pit OU against Florida in Norman. OU is also slated to face LSU and Alabama in road matches on Jan. 31 and March 13, respectively.

Oklahoma will open the season on Jan. 9 at the Lloyd Noble Center against No. 13 Arkansas. Sooner fans will also have a chance to see OU take on 22nd-ranked Kentucky at the Perfect 10 Challenge in Oklahoma City on Feb. 13. 

Overall, 10 of OU's 12 regular season opponents are ranked in the preseason top 25, including six teams slated in the top 15 nationally. 

The Sooners return 18 of 24 routines from last season's NCAA championship squad. The squad is also set to welcome back six previous All-America gymnasts alongside five talented newcomers.

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