After speaking with Stanford's new head gymnastics coach, Kristen Smyth, one can't help but feel the excitement and anticipation she feels about her new charges. It's almost the same kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for children on Christmas morning.

After serving under the tutelage of Arizona State University's Head Coach John Spini as an assistant coach, and then as the Sun Devils' associate head coach, Smyth was recruited to Stanford after the previous coaches, Mark and Rene' Cook, there left to lead Division I's newest program at the University of Arkansas. As the associate head coach at ASU, Smyth said she gained a lot of experience working with Spini.

"I learned quite a bit from John," Smyth said. "I feel really prepared for this position, and I find it so exciting to work with these athletes. We are really motivated this year."

Smyth explained she and her staff, consisting of former University of California assistant coach Steven Ohel and Cardinal great Larissa Fontaine, have brought in a whole new way of coaching. "I have high expectations for this team," Smyth said.

In addition to fine-tuning the squad's physical fitness level, Smyth said individuals will be adding new skills and increasing difficulty on all four events, one of her priorities. "They will be as strong as possible in order to get through the 14 straight meets we have scheduled for this season," Smyth said.

The team looks forward to qualifying to the Super Six finals for the first time ever. To do so, the head coach will look to several team members to excel. She emphasized that this year's senior class, made up of All-Americans Kristen Jensen and Katy Herbert, as well as Becky Meldrum, will be the leaders on the floor. Sophomore and All-American Lindsey Wing, the 2001 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, and classmate, All-American Lise Leveille, will shine, too.

The Cardinals will be joined by two "outstanding" freshmen, said Smyth. "They both have a ton of energy and are looking forward to contributing." Mandy Delgado is a local gymnast with an explosive front handspring-front tuck full vault and incredible tumbling. Marla Ranieri traveled across the country from New Jersey and looks to make an impact right away, according to Smyth.

Smyth is ecstatic with the team's depth saying this team has at least eight girls on each event that she believes can score a 9.80 or better by the start of the season. She is pleased with the fact that even though the team faces a tough schedule, she will be able to let some of her gymnasts rest while others gain experience. The Cardinals should be strong on all four events. By the start of the season, Smyth said the team will sport at least eight vaults that start at a 10.0.

The Cardinals' bar routines will be different from others, Smyth said. She described them as "unique" and "original," adding several of her gymnasts are upgrading dismounts and fans should watch for more pirouettes as well as inverts. Smyth is excited to see junior Abby Gair return from injury this year, a gymnast who is "beautiful on bars," the coach said. While Stanford lost one routine to graduation on the balance beam, they gain four through freshmen Gair and Beck. Fans will also enjoy the Cardinals' floor routines, as one of Smyth's chief concerns is performing unique routines that the athletes can really show off to the crowd.

Smyth truly believes the sky is the limit with this year's edition of Cardinal gymnastics. "I am really excited to be at Stanford. These student athletes are great to work with, and I am looking forward to this season," Smyth said… enthusiastically.