Frank Kudlac Quotations

The potential is very good. I am impressed with the leadership on and off the floor. It is easy to let little mistakes domino but we didn't let it happen.

That's the way to start it off. We started off with an even like that, we were on fire and that was great. We only had to count one fall today, which was good as well.

We did well. We hung in there for three events, got to floor and our legs were tired. I expected it, but I was hoping the adrenaline would get us through what we needed to. They just didn't hold out. It wasn't really mistakes on the part of the athletes, it's just that their legs gave in.

When we hit, we hit big. But when we missed, we missed a lot. When you count five falls for 2 1/2 points, at this time of the year you shouldn't be doing that.

We had three strong events today. We looked good on vault, bars and beam. On floor, the training caught up to us. Our legs weren't there. I am extremely proud of the way we competed out of the blocks to start the season. We still have a long way to go. We watered down some routines as far as difficulty and skill.

Our experience came into play. With seven national championships in the program it makes the athletes believe in the system. They bought in since Day 1. Even if we didn't get first, we would still be winners. We had a tremendous finish on beam. We knew we had to hit. We counted a fall but after yesterday it shows the fight and heart of this team.

The wheels fell off in the last two events. I'm not sure if it was a lack of focus, a lack of trusting our abilities. Whatever it was, it certainly proved that we were not the best team that day.

They told her she basically wouldn't end up doing anything for them and she might as well retire. She didn't win beam, but she beat everybody from Utah State, and she won bars.

It was our best score and it was great to do it in front of a record crowd. It was an exciting atmosphere. We still have a few things to work on, but we're moving in the right direction. We're young but we're doing great.

It was a total team effort. Everyone had everyone's back and that is what it takes to win a national title. It's nice to get off No. 7 because the title is not a given. Rutgers didn't even make it to the finals after winning last year. That shows how hard it is to just make the finals. With the parity, it is getting tougher and tougher.

It's a whole new ball game and we're used to being at home, so it's going to take some adjusting. As we go on the road, hopefully our experience will start to show.

It's the event that's the most precarious and you really have to have the mental focus and it's confidence and it's experience. That's what the season is for and I see it improving every meet and that makes a coach feel good.