Former OU Gymnast Sheridan Ramsey Shares Her Recruiting Journey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Sheridan Ramsey, the dream was always clear. From a young age, the Oklahoma native knew she wanted to compete in gymnastics at the highest level while being part of a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I wanted to compete with a team and compete at the highest level in my sport!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramsey didn't just accomplish that goal; she did it at one of the most successful programs in the country. She competed for the University of Oklahoma from 2021–2024, becoming part of two NCAA Championship teams and three conference championship teams during her college career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, as a former NCAA gymnast and current head coach and program manager at her club gym, Ramsey is using her experience to help guide the next generation of gymnasts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Recruitment Process </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramsey's recruiting journey was a team effort. Her father and coaches played an important role in helping her navigate the process, from sending emails to college coaches to sharing videos of her gymnastics through her YouTube channel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her experience at Region 3 College Bound Camp also opened the door to additional opportunities, with multiple coaches beginning to reach out after that camp.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the normal overwhelming feeling of recruiting, Ramsey knew exactly what she was looking for and she believes her drive, potential and desire to compete in college gymnastics helped set her apart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ultimately, finding the right fit was about more than just gymnastics for Ramsey. Oklahoma checked the all the boxes on the athletics side of things but also quickly felt like home. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Academics &amp; Choosing the Right Fit </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Academics were a priority throughout Ramsey's recruiting process. She wanted to make sure that whichever school she chose would provide an environment where she could succeed both inside and outside the gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than anything, she wanted to find a family like environment surrounded by people who shared her competitive mindset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I wanted a family environment and to be somewhere that everyone around me had a championship mindset.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oklahoma checked all of those boxes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opportunity to train under some of the best coaches in the country while being surrounded by a championship culture ultimately made her decision an easy one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Being coached by the best coaches in the country was an opportunity I had to take, and being surrounded by champions all around the campus was so cool to see.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Ramsey, the experience of being surrounded by excellence extended beyond the gymnastics facility. It became part of her everyday college experience at Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Realities of NCAA Gymnastics </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the opportunity to compete for Oklahoma was a dream come true, the transition to NCAA gymnastics didn't come without its challenges. Ramsey's college career coincided with the COVID pandemic, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already demanding and intense transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It was difficult because we also went through COVID. Without that it would've still been hard.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite those challenges, Ramsey found that the relationships she built with her teammates became one of the most rewarding parts of her college experience. That bond helped make the highs and lows of a demanding college gymnastics season worthwhile.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NCAA gymnastics taught Ramsey how to handle pressure and adjust when things didn't go exactly how she had planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I learned to handle things under pressure better and be able to adjust when things didnt go the way I intended it would.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite Moments &amp; The Best Parts of Being an NCAA Gymnast </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramsey created a multitude of memories at Oklahoma, but one moment stands above the rest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Winning our first national championship my sophomore year.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the outside looking in being apart of the Oklahoma gymnastics program brings a unique level of pressure, but Ramsey thrived in those environments. Rather than shying away from it she learned to embrace it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I loved going to opposing teams! I always thrived in spaces when people were rooting against me.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":62762,"width":"527px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.3989172827289131","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgymnastics.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2026/08/Sheridan-Ramsey-Hype-.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-62762" style="aspect-ratio:1.3989172827289131;width:527px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being a part of an incredibly successful program the impact of her collegiate career went far beyond championship rings and celebrations. One of Ramsey's favorite parts of being an NCAA gymnast was the platform it gave her to inspire younger athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The coolest thing was being able to have a platform and have young athletes look up to me.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Ramsey, being a college gymnast allowed her to gain countless lessons and experiences that have continued to shape her even after her career ended. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advice for Future Recruits</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that Ramsey is coaching, she has the opportunity to share the lessons she learned throughout her own recruiting and college career with young gymnasts following the same path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her biggest piece of advice is simple: be patient.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Be patient and kind to yourself! The perfect school will come and it will work out in the timeline it was supposed to be. Don't base your timeline on others!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a recruiting process where gymnasts can easily compare themselves to their teammates and peers, Ramsey encourages gymnasts to remember that every recruiting journey looks different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her own journey ultimately led her to Oklahoma, where she became a member of championship teams, competed at the highest level of college gymnastics and developed relationships and lessons that have stayed with her long after her final routine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ultimately if Ramsey were to describe her college career in one word it would be <strong>"fulfilling"</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After dedicating years of her life to gymnastics, competing at the highest level and becoming part of a championship program, Ramsey walked away from Oklahoma with more than just memories and championships. She left with experiences, relationships and lessons that continue to shape the coach and mentor she is today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->