By ALEX VEIGA

Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Is there something in the water in Oklahoma that produces Miss Americas?

“I’m not sure,” says newly crowned Miss America Lauren Nelson.

Instead, the aspiring Broadway star from Lawton credits her fans back home for making her the second contestant from the state in two years to win the crown.

“We had over 300 people come from Oklahoma to support me,” Nelson, 20, said during her first news conference Monday as Miss America. “We have an amazing support group in Oklahoma.”

The last time a state won back-to-back titles was in 1960, when Mississippi’s Mary Ann Mobley crowned Lynda Mead as Miss America.

Nelson said she won’t hesitate to ask for pointers from last year’s winner, Jennifer Berry.

“Her phone number will be on speed dial,” said Nelson, a friend of Berry, who was the first Miss America chosen after the pageant moved to Las Vegas from its longtime home in Atlantic City, N.J.

Nelson said her knees buckled when she realized she had won the pageant.

“It’s so surreal that I have the Miss America crown on my head.”

But Nelson didn’t doubt that she could go all the way.

“You have to believe in yourself,” she said.

Nelson’s crowning makes her the sixth Miss America from Oklahoma. The state ties Ohio and California for the most pageant winners.