After an undefeated regular season highlighted by a monumental upset, the No. 2 OU women’s gymnastics team is staring down history as it heads into the Big 12 Championship this weekend in Lincoln, Neb.

Since the NCAA officially recognized women’s gymnastics in 1982, only four programs have been able to lay claim to the national title: Alabama, Georgia, UCLA and Utah.

In only her fourth year as head coach for OU, K.J. Kindler has the Sooners positioned with an opportunity to become the fifth different national champion, and also to win their third-consecutive conference title.

When Kindler accepted the position, she said she was intrigued by endless possibilities of the program and the level of support provided by the administration within the athletic department.

She also said she fully intends on this being more than just a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

“The vision is to contend for a national championship on a consistent basis and to break ground in NCAA gymnastics where few other programs have gone,” Kindler said.

Given the chance to think about what the title would bring to the program, Kindler leaves little doubt to its place in OU athletics.

“What it would mean to OU is indescribable, and what it would mean to the entire gymnastics community is equally astounding,” she said.

The program is already making strides, as it recently competed in front of its largest ever crowd against top-ranked Alabama earlier this year.

With all eyes on the Sooners in the meet against No. 1 Alabama, OU rose to the occasion, besting the Crimson Tide 197.950 – 197.275.

In a night of firsts, the Sooner women upset the Tide, recorded their first-ever win over a top-ranked opponent and also recorded the highest program tally in the OU history, and did it in front of a record crowd.

Former two-time world champion and current Sooner senior gymnast Hollie Vise looks to what it might mean for the team if it can win it all April 22 to 24 at the NCAA Championships in Gainesville, Fla.

“To add our school to that list would be absolutely amazing," Vise said. “It would show everyone that anything is possible when you want it bad enough, and we do.”

Senior Jackie Flanery also shares the sentiments of her coach and teammate about winning the national championship.

“Winning the NCAAs would be monumental for the program here at OU,” Flanery said. “It is something that has never been done and I definitely think this team and the coaching staff have the ability to make history at this university.”

Even as the team looks forward to its potential opportunities, Kindler hasn’t let herself or her team forget the path they had to take to get to this point. While construction took place at the Sam Viersen Center, the team was forced to train in a temporary facility.

“We had very little in terms of equipment and it was a tough road. I have been so impressed with the team’s resilience and the ability to push through a less than ideal situation,” Kindler said.

It has been her team’s effort that has made it all the sweeter for Kindler. She looks forward to how her team will handle the challenges over the next few weeks as the season goes into the home stretch.

As the team continues to stay focused and works toward the ultimate goal, she envisions the entire team stepping up.

“It has been an incredible season thus far,” Kindler said. “I am privileged to work with these women. I have been so impressed with our team’s work ethic.”

Even as the Sooners aim to press toward the conference and national titles, Kindler said she looks at the bigger picture.

“We want gymnastics to become a sport at OU that everyone talks about, plans their weekends around and attends enthusiastically," Kindler said. "We want our popularity to grow and our product to remain of the highest of quality."