The end of one era will be the start of another for the OU women's gymnastics team.With the Sooners' fifth-place finish in the preliminary round of nationals, the reign of Becky Switzer as OU women's gymnastics co-head coach has come to an end after 18 years. She compiled a record of 227-105 between 1984-2001. In her last season at OU, she helped guide the Sooners to a school-record 21 wins and a No. 10 ranking.The plan from the start of the season was for co-head coach Steve Nunno to take over after the season's end. The former Olympic coach was brought in because of his success on the mat and the attention he receives from the media, Switzer said. He was also a former coach for the Sooners."There couldn't have been a better year," Switzer said. "Finishing in the top 10 in the nation is a good way for me to go out and for Nunno to come in."She said the key to bringing in top recruits for the future is to put fans in the stands at home games. Switzer said with Nunno's national exposure, he will be able to help accomplish that goal."He better have tremendous success, or I'll be right on his tail," Switzer said jokingly.An assistant coach has not been named to replace Switzer. Nunno said he has tried to leave the door open for Switzer to come back as an assistant.Switzer said she might be stepping down as the co-head coach, but it doesn't mean she'll step away from her team. She said her exact plans are up in the air, but she will help with promoting the Sooner program even if she's not a coach on the squad."We will have to do some discussing," Switzer said. "I always want to be associated with the university. I am a Sooner."Nunno said even if Switzer doesn't return as an assistant, she will always be just a phone call away."Becky's experience was the key to our success this year," Nunno said. "I think we will be able to rely on Becky as a crutch for support."One thing the Sooners will not be losing next season is gymnasts. OU will be returning the entire squad from this season. Plus, Nunno said the Sooners will be bringing in five or six new recruits. "We're going to move up quickly next season," freshman Carla Demartini said. "I think it will be a lot better year for us."Nunno said next year will be exciting, but it will also be a tough season for the Sooners. He said the Sooners will be expected to step up their difficulty levels in routines to compete with the better schools."First, we had to find the ladder," Nunno said. "Now, we can climb that ladder. There is no question in anybody's mind that we're going to start climbing."With the experience of this year's team coming back, and a crop of new recruits, redshirt freshman Leah Mueller said the Sooners can only be better next season."All we can do is gain strength," Mueller said. "I think our goal will be to make it to the 'Super 6,' and see what happens from there."Visit the Sooners' official Web site at www.soonersports.com.hello there & you too
