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Following No. 1 Oklahoma’s (8-0, 2-0 SEC) first road win of the season against No. 14 Alabama (1-2, 0-2) 197.550-196.300 last week, the Sooners now begin a two-game homestand this Friday.

Coming to Norman this week is No. 13 Arkansas (3-4, 1-1), who is on a three-game winning streak after upsetting No. 3 LSU 196.875-196.600 last Friday in Fayetteville. Currently, every SEC team is inside the top 14 in this week’s rankings.

β€œThe little things are the big things,” head coach K.J. Kindler said on Tuesday. β€œThat’s still our focus because that’s how you win meets. You win them in this conference by tenths, not points.”

After last week’s win against the Crimson Tide, Kindler is now focusing on mentally resetting her group to get ready for the next meet. Playing in a hostile environment in Tuscaloosa, Oklahoma got an early test at playing on the road in the SEC.

β€œThey’re gonna get (an adrenaline headache) every weekend because the pressure is so (high),” Kindler said. β€œ...Those are things we normally feel at conference championships, regionals or nationals, and I think everyone felt it after the away meet in Alabama.”

β€œWe definitely have to train their mental side and focus on their recovery, which is hugely important in order to bounce back every week.”

With the Sooners facing elite competition every week, the spotlight will constantly be on them. In addition to the SEC schedule, Oklahoma has matchups with No. 23 North Carolina on Feb. 23 and No. 19 Michigan on Mar. 7.

This has resulted in OU being featured more on national television every week, as the Sooners are currently in the middle of a nine-game streak of being on television. Being able to perform on a bigger stage was important for freshman Elle Mueller, who now has her entire family able to watch her.

β€œI find it really exciting to get to perform my gymnastics in front of people,” Mueller said on Tuesday. β€œWe do all this work and we want to show people and leave no regrets.”

Following last week’s win against Alabama, senior Jordan Bowers was named SEC Co-Gymnast of the Week on Tuesday. This marks two consecutive weeks OU has taken home the Gymnast of the Week award, with fifth-year senior Audrey Davis winning in week two.

Bowers is now the fourth Sooner to win a weekly SEC award this season, joining sophomore Keira Wells, who was SEC Specialist of the Week in week one and freshman Lily Pederson, who has been crowned SEC Freshman of the Week twice.

β€œI definitely feel higher confidence,” Bowers said on Tuesday. β€œI have three years under my belt, so a really great experience and especially being in the SEC that just elevates it even more.”

β€œShe’s built different in every way,” Kindler said. β€œWhen she walks out on the floor, she has a different expression on her face. You can see the intensity radiating off her.”

The Sooners will face the Razorbacks at 7:45 p.m. on Friday at Lloyd Noble Center on ESPN2.

This story was edited by Hannah Bryant.

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