Great start to the 2015 season! Cal wins the NorCal Classic with a 195.175 to top Stanford, UC Davis, San Jose State and Sacramento State!
Gymnastics News Network:
GNN: How well do you feel your team has prepared in the off-season to get ready for the upcoming year?
Coach Howell: All of our returning gymnasts stayed on campus this summer taking classes and training in the gym. This gave us a huge advantage as we headed into the pre-season. …
GNN: What are your goals for the first meet and the season?
Coach Howell: We really want to come right out of the gate consistent and in the best physical shape possible. Of course, we want to stay healthy throughout the season and advance to the post season. …
GNN: What is your opinion on gymnasts committing at such an early age (8th, 9th & 10th grades)?
Coach Howell: I don’t think it’s good for our sport. It’s a huge risk for the coaches and the prospects, and a bit unfair to ask these young ladies to make the first biggest decision of their lives at such a young age.
GNN: What is your biggest challenge this year? What is your biggest challenge with the incoming freshmen recruits?
Coach Howell: Our biggest challenge will always be to keep everyone healthy. Our biggest challenge for our freshmen is helping them navigate the life of a student-athlete at Cal. School is very challenging and learning to balance their academic and athletic lives is a constant work in progress. Fortunately, our student-athletes have an amazing support network, and as a university we are very dedicated to helping them succeed.
GNN Exclusive Collegiate Coach Q&A: Cal Berkeley Golden Bears – Justin Howell
related – California Rising:
Enter 2015, and Cal is starting the season off with a No. 14 ranking – the highest preseason ranking the program has ever attained. Howell is now in his third year at the helm, joined by newly elevated associate head coach Crandall-Howell as well as strong assistants in Jessa Hansen and Jeffrey Langenstein.
The team’s identity is stronger than ever, and Cal’s fire grows brighter by the day as the Bears have started to be mentioned as contenders to qualify for the NCAA Championship, especially with the opportunity to host Regionals in Berkeley. …
Gymnastics Coaching.com 