University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
NCAA Championships Pre-Tournament Quotes
April 23, 2008 | Gymnastics
April 23, 2008
Press Conference Video at GeorgiaDogs.com
NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships
Wednesday Press Conference Quotes
UCLA Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field
"It's great to be back in Athens. We had a fun time when we were here just a few weeks ago, and we're glad to be back and compete against the best teams in the country. There have been many bumps in the road for us this year, but the trials and tribulations are what makes this so fun. It shows the character of your team, and I'm thrilled for the championship and to turn over a new leaf. We're working out the small details, but we plan on still competing Friday night."
UCLA Senior Tasha Schwikert
"I'm very excited to be here at the NCAA's. I've been dreaming of this my
entire career, and when I entered college, I couldn't imagine having just
three days left. We've had a lot of injuries, but also some great moments
and great rotations and when you put it all together we can change the
game."
Alabama Head Coach Sarah Patterson
"We are very excited to be here for the 26th consecutive time. I feel that
qualifying for nationals this year is just as exciting as qualifying 26
years ago. We have a wonderful team this year, who have all been through a
lot of trials and tribulations, but they stuck together and shown how
talented they are to be here."
Alabama Senior Kaitlin White
"We started pretty consistent, but once we headed out to California we
struggled. We had to sit down and talk about a lot of things, change our
goals, and write new ones down. I love the team that we have. We get along
inside the gym and out of it, and I am excited."
Arkansas co-Head Coach Mark Cook
"This is our second time being here and we are excited with the
opportunity. This entire season we have been on a mission. They are an
exciting group of ladies who are very driven and have given 100% this
entire season. I am proud to be back this year with this group"
Arkansas Senior Samantha Cortez
"The last time we were here we were underdogs and not expected to make it
through our regional and into nationals. This year is a different team with
different expectations and we have shown everyone that we deserve to make
it."
Denver Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
"We're just excited to be here at the championship and especially thrilled
to be here at UGA where there is an excellent tradition. This is our
second year qualifying for the national championship. This year we've
trained better and we're stronger and more focused. We're looking forward
to going out there and doing what we know we can."
Denver Junior Jessica Lopez
"It's pretty much the same pressure here with your team as it is competing
individually. We have the same support of the team and the coaches. I'm
doing the sport that I love so there's no pressure. I'm just ready to go
out there and do the best I can."
Florida Head Coach Rhonda Faehn
"First I would like to comment on the beautiful facility. We are thrilled
to be here and we want to thank UGA. It is wonderful to be up on this
podium in this championship atmosphere. We have been training very well
since our regional meet. Physically and menatally we are as fresh as we
have been all year, which is a change from years past, and we feel ready."
Florida Sophomore Melanie Sinclair
"After a meet I just try to get back to the gym and work on the small
details and try to pick up 10ths here and there. We did a lot of pressure
sets this year in the middle of practice to try to create a competitive
atmosphere to get ready and focused."
Georgia Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan
"This is the 4th championship we've hosted here and it feels great. I'm a
big perfectionist but our staff is amazing and it's been great to get a
chance to relax. It's given us a chance to focus on our academics and
resolve any distractions that might arise, because that can happen hosting
here at home. We're ready, we're peaking now, and this is the time that
every coach likes to peak. Our conference and individual goals were
reached, and our goals are going to culminate here in Athens.
Georgia Senior Katie Heenan
"Us seniors couldnt ask for more. When we won our first national title in
2005, I couldn't imagine looking back at winning three. We're going for
four and it's so special here at home. It's very exciting here, we have our
home crowd, and I just could not ask for anything more."
LSU Head Coach D-D Breaux
"We are very excited to be back here an an SEC school for the
championships. We are glad to be able to come back and compete. We have had
a methodical season. We are a young team but we have progressed, improved
and gotten stronger each week. We are more consistent in our preparation
and in competition and we are coming off of an exciting experience at
regionals."
LSU Junior Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
"After each meet I try to focus on the little things I did wrong, I am by
no means perfect. I just try to focus on consistency and improving on the
little things each week."
Michigan Head Coach Bev Polcki
"I would first like to thank UGA for hosting this championship. It has
moved to a lot of different places but the hospitality here has been
amazing. We are thrilled to be here and feel that we have a chance to do
something. We have had a great year this year following last season's
injuries. We have had great depth and consistency, and we are confident in
what we are capable of doing."
Michgan Senior Lindsay Bruck
"This team has been amazing. Our chemistry is incredible. Everyone is
committed 100% to what we are doing in and out of the gym. I think that has
helped everyone with their progress and allowed us to have a great year."
Oklahoma Head Coach K.J. Kindler
"We feel very fortunate to be here. We are healthy, and we have been for
the past two years, which has been a big part of our success. The team has
come together in terms of chemistry, and things seem to be falling into
place. Our Big 12 experience was exciting and we had a great time. We have
been working hard to get where we need to be. We hope to be able to put it
together we and have a great meet."
Oklahoma Sophomore Hollie Vise
"Going to the World Championships was a great experience. I am now having a
lot of fun with collegiate gymnastics. It is a lot different, it's so much
more team oriented. I am glad to be able to bring my experience to the
table and I hope to contribute and make my scores count."
Oregon State Head Coach Tanya Chaplin
"Our team has worked tremendously hard and have tried to build on last
season's success. We were the runner-up in the Pac 10 this year and we had
a great West region meet. It has been an honor to work with these young
women. They are driven and enthusiastic. We hope to come in this weekend
and continue to build on the exciting things we were able to do last
weekend."
Oregon State Junior Jami Lanz
"This is a team that has built on our success each year. We have a great
opportunity now and we are ready to take the next step and make the Super
Six. I can't wait until tomorrow night's competition."
Stanford Head Coach Kristen Smyth
"It's exciting to be one of the 12 teams here competing for the
championship. I can't think of a better place to compete; we're looking
forward to this fantastic atmosphere that Athens has to offer. We've had a
great postseason and competing here gives us the opportunity to get better
and better. Our goal is to enjoy every minute left with this incredible
group of girls."
Stanford Senior Tabitha Yim
"Having basically the same group competing here as last year really helps
give the team confidence because we know exactly what to expect. We have a
great chance to challenge for the title. We're just really excited to be
here."
Utah Head Coach Greg Marsden
"We are very happy to be here, and we had a very good season. Our team is
determined and they are a close group. We did not choose a captain this y
ear because we wanted everyone to take part in becoming leaders. They have
done a great job of doing that and the result has been a very consitent
year. We feel that we are in a good place and we hope to have a great
weekend."
Utah Senior Ashley Postell
"I think my decision to go to Utah was a really good one. I don't think I
could be any happier anywhere else. I am very thankful for Greg and for my
teammates. They have allowed me to grow as a person and an athlete. Whether
we win the championship or not, it was a great decision to come to Utah."
