Ham Lake’s Elle Mueller’s became a Sooner sensation for the University of Oklahoma in just her first season on campus.
Elle recently came home to her peaceful and bucolic Ham Lake neighborhood to spend time with family.
“She grew up here,” said Tara Mueller, Elle’s mom. “Her first gym was about five minutes away.”
“I think growing up in the northern burbs in Ham Lake, Blaine has kept her very grounded and humble,” said Jason Mueller, Elle’s father. “Oklahoma was a good place for her to go and keep her feet on the ground and continue to excel.”
Year number one of Elle’s college career was a whirlwind. Elle – who went to Blaine High – was part of the Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team that won this year’s NCAA title.
“I can’t really put it into words,” Elle said. “It’s been a lot of growing moments, a lot of personal growth. But it’s been an amazing experience that I would not trade for the world.”
“It’s been insane,” Tara Mueller said. “Super fun. Very, very exciting. Overwhelming and I think the best word to describe it is very surreal.”
Amazing gymnastics journey
Tara and Jason have certainly enjoyed watching Elle succeed.
“Winning that natty was amazing,” Tara said. “It was so fun.”
They’ve seen almost every step, leap, jump and vault in her amazing gymnastics journey.
“We’re just incredibly thankful to Twin City Twisters for the opportunities that they gave to Elle when they tapped her shoulder in second grade and said this girl has potential,” Tara said. “All the way to the support of the Oklahoma coaches.”
“I never truly knew that it could happen until it truly did happen,” Elle said. “I’ve had many TCT girls come before me like Maggie Nichols and Olivia Troutman. They’ve helped carry on the legacy and I’m just trying to do my part.”
The Sooners are a gymnastics powerhouse – they’ve won three titles in four years and seven total. Oklahoma started following Elle when she was 12 years old.
“When you’re going to someplace like Oklahoma the expectations are pretty high,” Jason said. “To have someone like Elle come in and contribute in her freshman year, consistently representing the team on the floor and vault. All-American. It was pretty exciting.”
Gymnastics success has been Elle’s m.o. since she started competing in the sport.
“She’s had a great history,” Jason said. “Two-time national team member. Represented Team USA internationally three times.”
Boomer Sooner
For the next few weeks Elle gets to chill out at home and reflect on a remarkable rookie season at Oklahoma where she is also majoring in health and exercise science.
“We’re just glad to have her,” Jason said. “She’s been off at school. During the season we don’t get to see a whole lot of her. It’s a couple days at Thanksgiving. A few days at Christmas. The meet schedules are packed. We try to run around the country and keep up the team as best we can.”
Of course, Elle will keep refining her talents and elevate her routines. She knows that all the sweat equity she’s put in through the years is a huge reason for her success.
“A lot,” Elle said. “More than I can put into words. It takes years of doing routines, perfecting the skills. Even now I’m still working on perfecting my skills and getting my upgrades.”
“Just grateful for the journey we’ve had,” Jason said. “It’s been a pretty incredible experience.”
Meanwhile, there is no doubt who the Mueller’s cheer for. It’s all about Boomer Sooner in their household. OU passion is on display at their North Metro house and even the windmill visible from the deck resembles something you might see in Oklahoma.
