© NCSU Student Media 2011
Freshman gymnast Stephanie Ouellette performs in the floor event in Reynolds Coliseum. Photo taken by Luis Zapata.
This weekend freshman gymnast Stephanie Ouellette, will be traveling to Cleveland, Ohio with her coaches to compete in the NCAA Nationals. It is a first-time experience for the freshman, also making her the youngest competitor to represent N.C. State since 1993.
Ouellette is making her first year at State a memorable one. The First Year College freshman has been one of the more outstanding newcomers to head coach Mark Stevenson’s squad. He is glad to have the opportunity to train Ouellette.
“I thought she did a great job her first year,” said Stevenson. “She has been trained extremely well in her past. Her and Rachel Fincham come from the same club, Docksider’s Gymnastics, and they are known to train their kids to do well.”
Ouellette is a native of Columbia, Md. She competed Elite from 2005-2007 with Docksider’s Gymnastics and qualified to represent Region 7 on its national teams during five out of seven years. She was also a Region 7 all-around champion in 2008.
“It was different transitioning from high school to college level gymnastics,” said Ouellette. “I have experienced a lot of changes. However, I enjoy competing in college. As for my first year I think it went well for me, and I hope to continue like this.”
Ouellette secured her bid to the NCAA Nationals when she competed at Regionals in Athens, Ga. on August 2nd. She is the youngest person to compete at Nationals since Christi Newton in 1993. Ouellette qualified for the NCAA Championship as an individual, scoring a 38.950 to garner a sixth place all-around finish.
“It’s really exciting and I am really happy to be going this weekend,” said Ouellette. “I think I am going to go into this weekend with the hopes of doing my best and just having fun. The NCAA Nationals will be an event that I have never experienced. I just need to have fun with it. It would be nice addition to place in an event, but I won’t be upset if I don’t win anything.”
Head coach Mark Stevenson is also proud to be accompanying Stephanie this weekend. He’s had the opportunity to take someone almost every year, including one of last year’s top performers and recent graduate, Taylor Seamen.
“I just want Stephanie to go into the weekend doing and do what she has done all year,” said Stevenson. “She has four opportunities to post a good routine score. If she does well she has a spot to move on. And further opportunities include titles such as being an All-American, like Taylor had been.”
Her performance since the beginning of the season has gotten better according to her coaches, and she shows it across the scoreboard. She is the top freshman representative of the All-Around routine and consistently does well in the event. However, reaching a successful year takes time and practice, which coach Stevenson along with the rest of the coaches have had the opportunity to help.
“She has done well at every single meet,” Stevenson said. “She only recorded four total falls out of 48 routines. She did everything the way we asked her too. I would say that her biggest improve has been her form. Her legs are straighter and toes are more curved. She came in and has done a great job with the routines.”
As for the rest of the gymnastics team, the season ended after the NCAA Regionals held two weeks ago. The team will soon be transitioning into off-season as they prepare for next year. Coach Stevenson has continued to do well for the Wolfpack gymnasts as he finishes his 31st season at State.
“I think next season will be an even better one than this year,” said Ouellette. “And it will keep getting better, as new girls come on to the team. This season was different than years before, due to some changes in rotations, but still very enjoyable.”