In a new series, FloGymnastics is spotlighting seniors heading into their final college season. Next up, is Oklahoma senior Chayse Capps.

Capps is a gymnast who has grown and excelled every year she has been at Oklahoma. She is an outstanding beam and floor worker, whose dance and flexibility shine along with her power and grace. Capps had her best season yet as a junior, scoring her first perfect 10 on beam along with adding bars to her resume and breaking into the all-around for the Sooners.

She has earned many personal accolades including being named an eight-time All-American and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Capps has also qualified to event finals each year at NCAA nationals. Capps is set to have another stellar season for the Sooners as they begin their quest for back-to-back national championships.




FloGymnastics: What is your major? When are you planning to graduate?
Chayse Capps: Health exercise major and a biology minor. I am also pre-physician assistant. I will graduate in May 2018.

How is your role on the team different being a senior this year?
I have learned to understand the process, and now it is my role to lead the rest of the team through this process. I try to lead by example and be a vocal leader as well.

What is your biggest personal accomplishment?
Winning a national championship.

What are you still looking to accomplish in your time at Oklahoma?
Win a third national championship as a team! I would also like compete in the all-around and earn All-American status.

What is your favorite part about competition day?
Seeing how our training time plays out on the competition floor. I also love to see all of our hard work pay off and show off what we have been able to accomplish.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
As a team, we always eat the same lunch before a competition. We also do a lot of mental preparation and visualizing.

How have your coaches at Oklahoma helped you become a better gymnast?
They have been such a positive impact on my gymnastics career, because they are so positive and encouraging. They have pushed me past boundaries that I did not even know that I had. All of the coaches have helped me become a better gymnast than I could of ever imagined.

What are your plans after graduation?
I am part of a five-year undergraduate program. I plan to graduate in May 2018 and continue on to PA school. I am hoping to stay at Oklahoma for PA school or move back home to Dallas. I would love to be a student coach next year as a finish my undergrad.

How do you spend your time outside of the gym?
I love to hang out with friends and get my nails done. I spend a lot of time at the local church where I volunteer with the kids ministry, and also I am part of a community group there.

What is something others might not know about you?
I was a competitive dancer growing up. I did many different kinds of dances, but jazz was my favorite.

What is one word to describe your attitude/personality inside of the gym?
Determined.

What motivates you inside and outside of the gym?
My faith, family, and friends.

What nicknames do your teammates have for you?
Chaser, Kiesa, and Casper.

How does Oklahoma handle the pressure and expectations to win a national championship?
Yes, there definitely are expectations and some pressure to win a national championship. However, we stay focused on ourselves and what we do best.

What are your team goals this season?
To win back-to-back national championships! That has never been done at OU, so we want to be the first gymnastics team to do so.

What would you tell a feature recruit about why to come to Oklahoma?
The family atmosphere! The campus is beautiful and has a large feel, yet is small enough to be able to walk everywhere.

There is a lot of excitement with the addition of Maggie Nichols and Brenna Dowell being back. What has the atmosphere been like in the gym?
The freshmen have taken this team to a whole new level! The talent is unreal, and there is some great competition for a spot in the lineup. It is so great to have Brenna back!


Related:
Senior Spotlight: Michigan's Nicole Artz