It is hard to believe our ladies have entered final exams and that we are placing an exclamation point on the fall 2001 semester. This past Sunday our team participated in a first full intra-squad conducted exactly like a meet. From the coaches' perspective, our ladies performed exceptionally well and we feel quite comfortable with where we are going into the holiday season. Some highlights from the intra-squad were:

• Raegan Tomasek's stellar all-around performance and double Arabian on floor exercise
• The outstanding bar performance by our entire team....it certainly pays to have four returning All-Americans on this event
• The return of Michelle Reeser and Andree Pickens to competition- look for even more from these two in the coming months
• Freshman Shannon Hrozek displayed a tremendous competitive spirit and will be a force for the Tide down the road this season
• The emergence of Natalie Barrington on floor exercise....her routine is artistic and she is ready to go on this event this year!
• Kristin Sterner or "Sternermite" as we call her is steady as ever and will be a leader on the floor for us this year
• Huge steps were taken forward by Stephanie Kite on vault and balance beam thus far. Stephanie will be a regular for us this season on floor exercise as well.
• Erin "rocket" Holdefer, her new nickname by the coaches...Erin's vault will take some time to be "pressure-ready" but her pike front 1/2 twist vault is the real deal!

These are just a few of my observations. Hope you enjoyed the intra-squad.

This week our ladies will condition heavily, study hard, and try to place the final touches on a good semester academically. We have learned over the course of our career that the holiday break is important for both the athletes and coaches; a chance to rest, relax, take time with family and friends and recharge our batteries for the upcoming season.

Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season! We look forward to the start of 2002!