For the LSU gymnastics team, consistency will be the key to the door for this year's NCAA Championships.

After struggling through injuries to major contributors, Head Coach D-D Breaux said the team is ready to get back into the top-12 in 2002.

"Like Georgia, Alabama and Florida, we start off at the Super 6 Challenge this year," Breaux said. "We want to be very solid. Our goal is to be in the 195.000 range in every meet, and we want to be consistently at the top. We want a consistent, solid average throughout the season."

With the return of a top-billed senior class, that shouldn't be difficult. "We have very strong seniors this year," Breaux said.

Marina Degteva is back and in her best shape, as is Nicki Arnstad, who is a solid all-around gymnast, Breaux said. Sharene Mamby is in her fifth year after she took a medical red-shirt in 2000. Her nemesis might be consistency, Breax explained, adding that when she's on, she hits. Mamby will be an uneven bars specialist. Shanyn MacEachern, who was hampered by a shoulder injury throughout her junior campaign, will turn in solid scores, and Beth Boudreaux will contribute, as well. Also returning is Louisiana-native, senior Adrienne Couret. MacEachern, Mamby and Degteva are all former teammates of Crimson Tide All-American Natalie Barrington.

Sophomore Kristin Uransky will also be a major contributor this season. She, like MacEachern, dealt with an injury throughout the 2001 season.

The Tigers have added five freshmen to their roster, as well. Fans should watch for three in particular. "Annie Gagnon is a great gymnast from Montreal," Breaux said. "Jade Jenkins has really strong legs. She will be a great vaulter and tumbler for us. Lauren Campanioni is a very dynamic gymnast out of the southeastern region." Jenkins was a club teammate of former Tide All-American Lissy Smith and SEC Freshman of the Year Robin Hawkins.

"Our freshman class balances everything out," Breaux explained.

The 2002 schedule presents the Tigers with no "freebies." With plenty of conference action, as well as meeting Utah at home and Denver at Denver, LSU will be tested by the time the regional championships roll around. The Tigers will play host for the regionals this year, which just might help push them over the edge and into the ranks as one of the top-12 teams this year.

"It's a great honor to be selected as a host site for an NCAA regional," said Breaux earlier this fall. "We've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to host the meet before, and we're glad the NCAA has decided to bring a regional back to LSU."

Bars will be the Tigers best event this year, Breaux said. Led by assistant coach Bob Moore, a one-time Jefferson State gymnastics coach and Samford graduate, improvements will be made on vault. Beam and floor will remain consistent. "Our wish is to be strong and solid. We want to maximize scoring potential," Breax said.

In the mean time, the team will be focusing on each landing, each pointed toe and hitting each routine. After all, it's that trip to Tuscaloosa ("Only a bus ride away," Breaux said) in mid-April that is in the eyes of these Tigers.