Practice Notes 10-10-99

Pooh Bear's assistants had a chance to see the Tide gymnasts practice on this date for approximately 90 minutes. Upon entering the practice gym, we noticed the official Tide Gymnastics logo had been painted on the facing right wall with the SEC and National Championship years painted on the corresponding left and right wall sides of the logo. The image was way cool and should be impressive to recruits coming in for visits. The gymnasts were just finishing up their warm-ups and moving on to their first rotations as we arrived. Of immediate notice was the awesome shape everyone appears to be in, especially Whitney Morgan (sophomore), Lexa Evans (senior) and Katie Hornecker (junior). Showing no signs of lingering effects from knee scoping, Alexa Martinez and Raegan Tomasek were throwing some solid tumbling and brand new moves on bars to boot! Highlights of today's practice include:

Uneven Bars: We got a chance to see freshman Kristen Sterner execute a nice Tkatchev release and a pike Jaeger, followed by a reverse double tuck dismount. Natalie Barrington was doing inverted giants (endo grip) like her old elite days and seems totally adjusted now to her growth spurt. Lexa Evans is in her best shape ever and was throwing her signature super-high Tkatchev release and was practicing a front layout with a half twist (pike position) dismount. Andree Pickens and Dara Stewart were as solid as ever on the bars. Dara and Katie Hornecker have already learned a new dismount (Super E): a double flyaway with a twist in the laid out position. Dara told us she learned this skill in one day thanks to our great coaches! Raegan Tomasek is now throwing a toe on/toe off on the high bar and a piked Jaeger. Whitney Morgan was rotating bars quickly and confidently after reporting to fall practice in incredible shape. Robin Hawkins showed the best toe point of all and seems to be prepping for a new move that we have yet to see executed. Her routine at one juncture looked a little different from last year's, possibly indicating a timer for a new skill. We will keep you posted.

Balance Beam: Freshman Sara Scarborough executed two beautiful straddle leaps in combination and has nice form and presentation overall on the beam. She also throws a punch front and we may see her dismount with a double tuck. Kristen Sterner displayed a gorgeous 360 degree jump several times without a single bobble! She has some unique moves, including a nifty mount. Come to practice and you will see what we mean. Alexa Martinez was practicing two layouts in her flight series and showed beautiful leaps and form throughout. National beam champ, Andree Pickens, was amazingly methodical and patient in her technique as she added skills throughout her warmup. Natalie Barrington looked totally comfortable and focused on beam. Dara Stewart was throwing a new flight series of flip flop, flip flop, layout and was also working on a gainer. Lissy Smith was rock solid and has added a head roll in her routine.

Floor Exercise: Krista Gole is also in great shape and was throwing a double tuck, a double pike and was working on a full-in towards the end of her floor workout. Sara Scarborough, Katie Hornecker and Whitney Morgan were executing some terrific, tight and high double pikes. Natalie Barrington looks ready to compete on floor and was throwing a 1 ½ into a punch front while Robin Hawkins was throwing a double tuck, a double pike, and was working on her signature triple twist! Lissy Smith was throwing a double pike, double tuck and a double twist while Lexa Evans was confidently throwing her three bounders and a 1 ½. Gina Logan was working beam and floor and it is amazing how she can execute such difficult skills at 5'8". She is a leader by example! We will have more practice notes over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!