CS USA-client Sandra Ostad has just finished her first semester as a gymnast for the University of Missouri. Her team “made history” by making it to the NCAA Division I National Tournament. They ended their season with a national ranking of #15.

We touched based with Sandra to see what her thoughts were on her first semester as a Tiger.

How has your first year at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) been?

It’s been great. At school, in the gym and outside the gym, it is everything I ever wanted it to be and more. It exceeded all of my expectations.

What have you liked the most so far?

I have loved practicing and being with my teammates. It’s been so much fun meeting people and getting to know so many other great athletes. The best thing so far was when we won Regionals and knew that we made history and were going to Florida to compete at Nationals.

How has coming to Mizzou made you into a better gymnast?

There are a lot of things that have made me into a better gymnast. First of all just being here and working out with some of the best gymnast in the country. It’s been great having them as teammates, not just because of all the support I’ve got but also because I’ve had someone to look up to. The coaches are great too and have helped me with everything I needed. I’m looking forward to working more with them now that season is over.

How was it to compete at the NCAA Nationals in Florida?

It was a good experience. I’ve been to the World Championship a couple of times, but this competition was something I’ve never experienced in my life. All the gymnasts and the teams, all the fans, everything around it made it so special. I can’t wait to get started on new stuff and get ready for next year. To watch some of the best gymnasts in the country compete gave me a lot of new motivation.

How is the level in NCAA gymnastics compared to the level you are used to in Europe?

It’s a little difficult to compare the internationally level to college level. The point and score system is different and most of the equipments are different. College gymnasts do fewer skills, but they do it as perfect as possible. Most of the skills they do and the level they're at is the same as in most of Europe, but they only do a couple of them and that’s why college gymnastics is overall easier.

What are you ambitions for next season and further in your career?

We’ve already started to work drills and basic just to get our skills better and more consistent. Then we’ll work on new skills and put together a new and harder routine for next year. The goal for next season is of course to make it to the Nationals again and this time try to make it to Super Six. I’m first of all focusing on my team, but also in making finals as an individual and becoming an all-American. This fall there is the World Championship and if everything works out with school and practice I will try to qualify and compete for Norway.

It has been great to follow Sandra and the Mizzou gymnasts this season.

We wish you good luck in the fall and of course in the spring of 2011.