OU Women's Gymnastics Team Competes At Paycom Center In Oklahoma City

The number-one ranked University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics team will take the stage at the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday for the second annual Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad.

The Sooners will face off against last year's top three finishers: LSU, California, and Utah.

OU Women’s Gymnastics Assistant Coach Ashley Kerr discussed the event and the team's preparation on News 9 at 9.

"It starts in the preseason. It actually starts as soon as the season ends. Our athletes are super motivated, and they work really hard in the summer," Kerr said. "Once fall classes start in August, our athletes are in the gym working their tails off."

She said this event is a significant milestone for the team.

"We're super excited to be in Oklahoma City, less than 30 minutes from home, which is Norman," Kerr said. "It's going to be a great experience for fans and Oklahomans all over because this is a championship-level competition."

The competition will be held on a podium, similar to the Olympics or NCAA Championships, offering a unique opportunity for both athletes and spectators.

"It just feels more elevated," Kerr said. "It also prepares our athletes for the postseason, so this experience is super important for them."

With so many young aspiring gymnasts looking up to the team, Kerr emphasized the importance of the platform the athletes have.

"They love it because they were those little girls once," she said. "They cherish that platform and they know how meaningful it is to young women and men and all of the Sooner fans."

The competition starts at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow, with OU competing on the balance beam.

Kerr encourages gymnastics fans to attend the event, saying, "I would highly recommend if you are a gymnastics fan to go to all three sessions. There's excellent gymnasts under one roof all weekend."

The event will feature top-ranked programs, with LSU ranked second, Utah ranked fourth, and California ranked sixth.

Kerr also spoke about her family life with her husband, Mark Daigneault, the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Surprisingly, we don’t talk about sport as much as one would think," she said. "We focus on family and our little ones."

For tickets and more information on the meet, go to sproutscollegiatequad.com/tickets.