Dec. 5, 2006
Nicole Cowart was a 2006 Region Five AA Champion, runner-up on bars, second on beam and third on vault and floor. Cowart was also a 2005 AA floor, beam and bars champion. She also placed third at 2004 AA Region Five. In addition, Cowart was a six time National Qualifier and 2006 third place AA National Team member.
What attracted you to Illinois?
Knowing that attending the University of Illinois would allow me to receive only the highest quality of academics, as well as knowing that I would be welcomed into the Illini gymnastics family of with open arms.
Have there been challenges for you to adjust to college gymnastics?
Yes, it has been very challenging for me to adjust to college gymnastics because I am not used to conditioning very much at all. Also, it is a different environment for me knowing that you have to earn a spot on lineup without automatically assuming you will compete whether or not you are doing well in training.
Has it been hard for you to balance gymnastics and academics?
Yes, I am not used to having to do more studying as opposed to homework. Therefore, exam grades are most of your final grade in the class. Whereas in high school, your homework grades were weighted heavily as well (besides finals).
What is your favorite event and why?
My favorite event to compete is floor and bars. I love competing floor because I know I can show off my personality and enjoy myself. I love competing bars because the feeling you get after hitting an amazing set is incomparable to that of any other.
What is your nickname and how did you get it?
My nickname is Suki, and I got this name when some of the girls on the team and myself were watching a movie, The Sweetest Thing, and we decided to give each other nicknames. When Cameron Diaz walks into the church and goes AWW SUKI SUKI. It stuck from there. Some of the girls on the team call me Spaz as well because I tend to be spastic sometimes.
What do you like about college so far?
I love the fact that all the friends I have made here will be friends I know I will stay in touch with forever. These are the type of friends that will get me through the ups and downs of life in college. I love knowing that when I leave the University of Illinois, I will have many lifelong friends.
Who do you think will surprise people the most in 2007?
I think that the '07 squad will end up surprising ourselves the most. We have much to offer and many people do not take this into consideration, but I don't think that we have come to the realization that we can and will accomplish great things in this upcoming season.
What are you most excited about for your freshman season?
I am excited about my freshman season to be part of something bigger than myself. Some teams may call themselves teammates, but at Illinois, I call them sisters. I can't wait to share the triumphs and trials with my Illinois family.
What are your personal goals for this upcoming season?
My goals for this season include: staying healthy, competing all-around, and becoming known as a dependable competitor when the pressure is on.
What profession do you plan on pursuing after graduation?
I do not know what profession I plan on pursuing after graduation. There are many different options that the University of Illinois has to offer, and I plan to take some time exploring many of them.
What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?
I love to go shopping like any other girl, I love hanging out with my friends (especially the rocking freshman girls!!), I love to go swimming, and I also love to sleep like there's no tomorrow!
