FAYETTEVILLE — Mark Cook, the Californian who became the co-founder of the University of Arkansas gymnastics program, announced his retirement Tuesday after 17 seasons with the Razorbacks.
Cook and his former wife, Rene Lyst, were hired to start the Arkansas gymnastics program in 2001, began competing in 2003 and quickly built a quality team that earned an NCAA regional berth in its second season and made its first NCAA championships appearance in 2009.
Cook, who was voted SEC coach of the year three times (2008, 2016, 2018), led the Razorbacks to 16 NCAA regionals, eight NCAA Championship appearances - including a surprise berth in 2018 - and two NCAA Super Six appearances.