This is that time of year when speculation is high amongst all collegiate gymnastics fans everywhere. Every fan wants to know.....your list of top ten teams or this year's super six!? Well, if the truth were really told, even the experts themselves, collegiate coaches, can't even look into a crystal ball and foresee the future six months from now, but if they were honest with you, they could probably assess their strengths and weaknesses at this point in training and give you some ideas of what to expect when January arrives! This is exactly what I did Tuesday with the State "beat writers" over a media luncheon. So here is the scoop....

Right now, our team is not nearly as strong as we hope to be in January, but for the Tide fans to see us at our peak they will have to wait a bit longer than that! The 2002 Tide Team will resemble some of our earlier teams in that we know as a coaching staff that we will improve drastically over the course of our four month season. The injury to Andree Pickens right before the 2001 championship was an injury that not only affected our NCAA title hopes, but it will continue to affect us in the beginning of the 2002 season. Andree' is doing awesome and is right on schedule, but don't expect to see her on the "leg" events for quite some time. In addition, freshman Michelle Reeser is also going through rehabilitation for the same injury as Andree's, one that she sustained in February of her senior year in high school. Michelle will be a great addition to our program, but once again, timing as with Andree' is everything!

Lauren Holdefer and Whitney Morgan are both recovering from "clean-up" work as I call it. And Whitney in particular, has had a difficult time with missing several months prior to her surgery with an acute case of mononucleosis. Both Lauren and Whitney are just starting to move forward and will soon provide us with some additional routines.

So where does that leave us? Many people have asked me, "Do you see any surprises?" Well, thus far, we have had several, starting first with senior Alexa Martinez. During the course of Alexa's career, she has typically struggled in the fall and then picked up momentum as the season progressed. This year, Alexa has returned to campus in the best shape of her career and is now training in the all-around. Alexa has begun vaulting again and will be the first Bama Gymnast to compete four tumbling passes, something new and fun for her this year. Look for Alexa to make major contributions this year!

Another surprise this fall is the emergence of Erin Holdefer. A mainstay in the vault line-up last season with a beautiful pike front, Erin now has learned how to twist her vault and should be ready to compete at the season. Obviously, there are many steps to be taken, but I believe Erin can do this! Her tumbling is ski high and look for her on floor exercise early this year.

In order to help us prepare for the season ahead and break the "normal training" cycle, the coaches came up with a fall intrasquad to help peak our team's competitive spirit. Several years ago, we came up with the "Ghosts vs. Goblins" intrasquad event where our team was equally divided and their competitive drive tested. This gives each athlete a sense of where they are in terms of being competitively ready and also provided them with a taste of what competition will be like. This event has been a fun experience over the last few years and this year, the winning team will be treated to a home-cooked dinner from their teammates.

Our annual "Ghosts and Goblins" is this Sunday, October 28th and you are welcome to drop by and see the action. I look forward to sharing more with you after this fun-filled intrasquad. See you soon.

Roll Tide,
Sarah Patterson