Each weekend and each meet is another mission for the University of Alabama Women's Gymnastics Team. The Ohio State competition was a chance for us to compete as a team for the first time. The Georgia meet proved that though we are "young," we are deep, experienced and still have room to improve. The Minnesota meet, however, was to show that we had left last year behind.

The Alabama vs. Minnesota meet was billed as a competition in which the Alabama gymnasts would avenge last year's debacle. We were not prepared for the talent of the Minnesota gymnasts at their 1998 home opener. We also knew that this team (1999) was not to be taken lightly either and therefore marched into Coleman Coliseum prepared.

It is said that revenge is sweet. However, it is hard to take on a team that is so sweet. Gymnastics is unlike football in that it is hard to dislike, or even hate your opponent. We did not want to "whoop 'em" as many of our peers demanded. The only thing that we truly desired last week was to perform our best and come out on top. Though our goal was accomplished, we certainly performed as we had practiced earlier in the week. As Sarah had mentioned in interviews and at the Medalist Club reception following the meet, we had several problems with the flu. Alabama Gymnastics is known as a team that practices and performs as a team. When one of the links in our chain is missing (or sick), the entire chain weakens.

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." The Georgia competition is right around the corner. The slates will be clean as the Gym Dogs enter our house. The lessons of our past will aid us with accomplishing the dreams of our future as we head to our next mission, Operation: Roll Tide Roll !!!