No. 1 OU men’s gymnastics (14-0) head coach Mark Williams spoke with the media Tuesday ahead of the NCAA national championship, where the Sooners will look to earn a national title for the first time since 2018 and cap an undefeated season.
Here are key takeaways:
OU looks to improve on last year’s result
Last year, the Sooners placed third in the national championship, a long competition that was decided in the final rotation.
Williams said that despite multiple mistakes last season, he believes this year’s team has improved.
“This year we are better, (we would) definitely like to move up,” Williams said. “We want to feel like this team is a little bit better than last year and that we can at least be runner-up or the national champions. Obviously, a spot on the podium is more fun.”
Sooners emphasize long-term preparation
As the Sooners approach nationals, preparation has been a season-long process. Williams emphasized that championships are built over time.
“It's a plan that you have throughout the year. You aren’t going to win the championship in one night,” Williams said. “Cumulatively, they’ve done the work over the six months before we get to the championship.”
Through that training, the team has seen its hard work pay off.
“I think more than anything, having a season where we’ve met every challenge and every meet so far, we’ve kind of done it in a very easy fashion,” Williams said. “We have just gotten the job done when we need to.”
Team chemistry continues to stand out
As a result of spending so much time together, the men have developed a strong connection that has carried over into their performance.
Fifth-year gymnast Brigham Frentheway, who has been one of OU’s most consistent contributors this season since signing in 2021, said the second-straight MPSF win before nationals felt satisfying but also electric for the team.
“It was really awesome to see all my teammates go out there and do the gymnastics and the training they always do,” Frentheway said. “It was really rewarding and satisfying to see.”
Even as nationals approach, the team’s focus remains on consistency in practice. Frentheway added that the best way to prepare is to stick with what they know.
“Our mentality hasn’t changed. We just go in here and do the gymnastics we always do,” Frentheway said. “Obviously, you are going in trying to make those last perfections and critiques to your routines, but really, it’s the same mentality.”
The first qualifying session will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, on ESPN+.
This story was edited by Laurie Jones.
