OU starts the season at No. 4 for the second consecutive season.
Dec. 1, 2011
NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team starts the 2012 season ranked No. 4 in the GymInfo preseason coaches poll, released Thursday.
The ranking matches the program’s highest preseason standing. OU was also ranked No. 4 in the 2011 preseason poll.
“We are proud that the program at OU is being recognized amongst the best in the country," OU Head Coach K.J. Kindler said. "In the past two seasons our team has gained invaluable experience when placed under immense pressure. We will do all we can to maintain our level of consistency.”
UCLA was voted No. 1 by the coaches, while Alabama came in at No. 2. OU will face both the Bruins and the Crimson Tide in the 2012 season. Alabama comes to Norman on March 2 before the Sooners make the trip to Los Angeles on March 11.
In total, OU will see 10 teams ranked in the preseason top 25 this season, including five top 10 teams.
The Sooners face No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Alabama, No. 6 Nebraska, No. 7 Oregon State, No. 10 Michigan, No. 11 Arkansas, No. 18 Ohio State, No. 22 Minnesota, No. 23 Kentucky and No. 24 Iowa State.
OU has started the season ranked in the top 10 for seven straight seasons and the top 25 for 12 consecutive years. The Sooners have been ranked in the top 10 every season under Kindler.
The Sooners enter the 2012 season after their second straight top three finish at the NCAA Super Six Team Finals. OU finished third at the 2011 Super Six, behind national champion Alabama and UCLA.
OU returns nine of 11 All-American routines from 2011 and lost just six routines out of 24 from 2011.
OU opens the 2012 season with a quad meet at No. 23 Kentucky with Bowling Green and Wisconsin-Oshkosh, on Jan. 7 in Lexington, Ky., at 6 p.m. CT.
The OU gymnasts will share the floor with the Sooner wrestlers for the fifth annual Beauty and the Beast competition in OU’s home opener Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Season tickets are available now by calling the University of Oklahoma Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-GoOU, or online at SoonerSports.com.
2012 GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
First Place Votes |
| 1 |
UCLA |
932 |
8 |
| 2 |
Alabama |
926 |
17 |
| 3 |
Florida |
903 |
8 |
| 4 |
Oklahoma |
879 |
2 |
| 5 |
Utah |
806 |
1 |
| 6 |
Nebraska |
741 |
0 |
| 7 |
Oregon State |
725 |
1 |
| 8 |
Stanford |
702 |
1 |
| 9 |
Georgia |
687 |
0 |
| 10 |
Michigan |
641 |
2 |
| 11 |
Arkansas |
617 |
0 |
| 12 |
L.S.U. |
539 |
0 |
| 13 |
Penn State |
496 |
0 |
| 14 |
Boise State |
449 |
0 |
| 15 |
Illinois-Champaign |
371 |
0 |
| 16 |
Washington |
343 |
0 |
| 17 |
Auburn |
324 |
0 |
| 18 |
Ohio State |
246 |
0 |
| 19 |
Arizona |
233 |
0 |
| 20 |
Denver |
214 |
0 |
| 21 |
Kent State |
202 |
0 |
| 22 |
Minnesota |
154 |
0 |
| 23 |
Kentucky |
144 |
0 |
| 24 |
Iowa State |
122 |
0 |
| 25 |
Iowa |
120 |
0 |
Other team receiving votes:
Missouri, Central Michigan, North Carolina State, Arizona State, Southern Utah, West Virginia, North Carolina, BYU, Western Michigan, Michigan State, Utah State, Illinois, State, New Hampshire, Maryland-College Park, San Jose State, Pittsburgh, California, UIC, Northern Illinois, Rutgers
