Senior Elizabeth Price will compete for the final time in her distinguished Stanford career on Friday night at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Recently named Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year for the second time, she will participate as an individual in the all-around.
ESPNU will provide live coverage at 4 p.m. PT.
A native of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, Price is a 10-time All-American and has recorded four perfect 10s, three this year on bars (1) and floor (2). As a freshman in 2015, she won the NCAA title on vault and tied for fifth on bars. In 2016, Price finished fourth in the all-around and on bars, ninth on vault, and 12th on the balance beam.
Q: You are competing in the NCAA Championships for the fourth consecutive year. What's your mindset entering the competition?
A: It's kind of similar to last year because I am going back by myself. At the same time, it's different, because it's going to be my last time going to the NCAAs, which sets this trip apart from all the others.
Q: You have been training for meets since age 3. Now, you are preparing for the final collegiate competition of your life. How has that been?
A: The last two weeks, every practice has brought me closer to my last practice, my last competition, and my last showing in front of an audience. But I've really been trying to focus on little details here and there, and on my consistency, so that my last competition can be a great ending to my story.
Q: How has training been without your teammates?
A: I think all of them have come into the gym at one point or another, either to sit and keep me company, do their homework, or practice a little bit. They came on their own free will, which is pretty nice of them. I know after the season, I probably wouldn't want to be in the gym. It's nice having their support going into this weekend, knowing that they're still here for me when they don't have to be.
Q: This marks the fourth consecutive year you have qualified for the NCAA Championships. What makes it special?
A: I'll be rotating with Utah, and they have a huge traveling crowd. It will be nice to be able to compete alongside a team that has a lot of energy and support around them, and I can feed off that. I know a couple girls on their team and they're really nice. I'm looking forward to competing with a group from the Pac-12 and hopefully we can bring back some titles for the conference. I'm also just excited that I have a lot of friends from other teams that will be out there competing, and my mom and aunt are coming, which is a nice surprise.
Q: Emotionally, how are you coping knowing this will be the last time you compete?
A: It definitely drives me. Every time I compete, I want to hit all of my routines. Because it is my last competition, I really want it to be a great one. Regardless of how it turns out, I want to make sure that I enjoy myself and the atmosphere. It is my last gymnastics competition. No matter how I perform, I think it's the experience and little moments that make the competition one to remember. I want to go out there and have fun and enjoy the energy of the crowd and all of my friends.
