NCAA press conference quotes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Arkansas co-head coach René Cook and senior All-American Casey Jo Magee took part in a press conference to preview this week’s NCAA Gymnastics Championship at the University of Florida’s O’Connell Center.

Arkansas competes in Thursday’s 6 p.m. (central) NCAA Session II semifinal. The Razorbacks,seeded seventh in the meet, are in the NCAA Championship for the fourth time in their eight seasons, the fourth time in five years and for the third consecutive season.

Following is a partial transcript from the press conference.

Co-Head Coach René Cook

Opening statement:

"First of all, we are excited to be here. All of the teams here are exceptional or they wouldn’t be here. We’re looking forward to getting into the arena and starting the competition."

Making the Super Six last year and how it may help in returning to the finals:

"It helps only in the sense that you believe you can do it. At the same time, it’s a new year and a new meet. If we work hard, stay in the moment and do our job, we can make it back to the Super Six."

Senior All-American Casey Jo Magee

Competing on podium:

"When you compete on podium (raised platform for each event station), you have to make adjustments. It’s different equipment from the Southeastern Conference meet (which was also on podium). That meet being on podium helps with your confidence, but every team gets to work on that today in practice."

Previous experience in the NCAA Championship:

"Competing in the national championship with your team is an amazing experience. It’s going to be bittersweet (as a senior), but everybody on the team has worked hard. We’re just going to go out and enjoy it."