Brenna Dowell is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to Oklahoma, Dowell was a senior international elite gymnast from Great American Gymnastics Express where she trained under Al Fong and Armine Barutyan. Dowell was a  five year U.S. National Team Member. Dowell took the silver medal in the all-around at the 2014 AT&T American Cup, fifth-place on bars at the 2014 P&G Championships and was a 2013 World Championships team member and 2014 World Championships alternate.  

Image Via Oklahoma Gymnastics' Facebook
 

What went into your decision of choosing Oklahoma? 

Several colleges recruited me, and I went on visits to Oklahoma and Arkansas.  I had a couple of teammates go to Oklahoma and they loved it.  I went to visit and thought it was a good fit for me and it was then an easy decision. 

What has the transition been like from elite gymnastics to college? 

It has been a lot different, like polar opposites.  It has been a lot of fun and a new challenge for me.  I have been perfecting what I have instead of working on new skills; this has been very fun for me.  It has been an easy transition for me as I am doing old routines, watered down.  The hardest part for me so far has been showing expression on floor.  The transition with school is going well; I am taking all online classes this semester. 

 

What are you most looking forward to about being an Oklahoma Sooner? 

I am really looking forward to going out and competing with my teammates to help them win another national championship! 

 

How much difficulty do you plan on keeping in your routines this season? 

I am keeping a lot, just less skills.  I am keeping all of my favorite skills.  My coaches and I worked together to plan which skills to keep.  I am keeping my Ray on bars, full twisting BHS on beam and yurchenko 1.5 on vault. 

 

What are your personal goals this season? 

My personal goals are to compete all-around.  I also want to help my team with a national championship again. 
 

What has been the best part about being a college athlete so far? 

I love the atmosphere!  Everyone is so encouraging and there is always a teammate to pick you up.  I like being around my close friends in the gym every day. 
 

Do you have any plans to stay an elite gymnast?  

I haven’t ruled it out yet, but I am just focusing on one month at a time.  I am still figuring it out and making that decision.  I am keeping my options open.  The coaches have been very supportive with whatever decision I do make. 

 

What are your thoughts about worlds? 

I am very happy for the team. The selection committee made the decision based on who was best at camp, I just needed more time. I support their decision 100%. I am so happy for those girls who kicked butt! 
 

What are some of your favorite moments/meets while competing for Team USA?

My favorite memory was going to Acapulco in 2012.  It was just me and Al and it was very laid back.  It was on the beach and very fun.  It was an easier competition than others as we only competed two events a day.  It was also cool because I got a sombrero at the gala event. I also loved the 2013 European Tour with the girls.  I will always remember 2013 World Championships as we had a special bond as a team, something I will never forget.  


 

What was it like training at GAGE with Al and Armine?

I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I have trained there my whole life. Armine and Al have pushed me to the gymnast I am today. Armine really helped me with my chorography and dance on floor. I would not have gotten 1/2 as far as I did without them. 
 

What was it like training with another elite gymnast, Maddie? 

It was really cool to train with Maddie.  We were both going through the same things so that was very helpful.  It was also great to train with Sabrina and all the other girls on the team as well.  It was nice to have others in the gym to cheer you on. 
 

Who were your idols growing up? 

At my gym it was Terin Humphrey and Courtney McCool.  I was able to watch them in their Olympic journey and that was amazing to watch.  When I got older Rebecca Clark really helped me through the hard times and I really looked up to her. 

What is your favorite event? 

Bars, I love doing it! All of my favorite skills are on bars.  I love doing anything that is a toe to handstand. 

Click here to see Dowell's bar routine from the Oklahoma intrasquad.

What was your favorite skill to learn?
Ray 1/2, straddle back 1/2.  It was a process to learn, but it was very cool to learn. 

Anything else you would like us to know? 

Oklahoma has been awesome and so much fun for me already! 


Related:
Interview: Dowell After OU's Intrasquad
Dowell's Vault From The OU Intrasquad
Dowell's Bars From The OU Instrasquad