Tide gymnasts and the coaches were gleeful Sunday afternoon as they chatted about the exciting outcome of the SEC Football Championship game Saturday night in Atlanta. Tide trainer, EJ Amo, received his share of teasing from Coach Patterson and the crew when he walked in shortly afterwards (EJ is from Florida!). Coach Patterson encouraged the team to practice with visions of SEC Gymnastics Championship trophies dancing in their head. The team completed an intrasquad match on vault and balance beam on this date. Coach Patterson reported that the team performed very well during an intrasquad meet on uneven bars late last week and she is particularly pleased with the practice habits of freshmen, Kristin Sterner and Sara Scarborough. Sophomore Natalie Barrington was also cited for her major progress during this preseason and the very real possibility of her competing in the all-around this year. Highlights include:

Vault

The line-up for the vault is starting to come into sharper focus and there are strong indications that the Tide will be seeing five gymnasts throwing a 10.0 value vault at least on their second vault. From the intrasquad meet and our observations over the past few weeks, Pooh Bear's Assistants are predicting the following line-up and vault type for the Super Six Challenge:

1. Dara Stewart Vault 1: Front Pike (9.90) Vault 2: Same Vault
   If Dara has a strong first vault of front pike (i.e. score of 9.80 or higher) there is a good possibility that she will throw the higher value pike barani (10.0) on her second vault. Dara will likely get the lead-off on vault due to her consistency at this spot and on this event in general during the past two years.
2. Robin Hawkins Vault 1: ½ on ½ off (10.0) Vault 2: Same Vault
3. Kristin Sterner Vault 1: Pike barani (10.0) Vault 2: Same Vault
4. Katie Hornecker Vault 1: ½ on ½ off (10.0) Vault 2: Same Vault
5. Alexa Martinez Vault 1: Pike barani (10.0) Vault 2: Same Vault
6. Andree Pickens Vault 1: ½ off Front layout (10.0) Vault 2: Same Vault

Vaulters #1-6 have been throwing 10.0 value vaults in practice and appear to be the likely starting line-up barring any injuries. They are followed closely by: Raegan Tomasek (front pike and pike barani), Natalie Barrington (front pike and pike barani), Sara Scarborough (front pike), Whitney Morgan (front pike) and Krista Gole (Phelps?). We think that Sara Scarborough has the best chance at this juncture of breaking into the line-up because of her beautiful form, extension, height and distance on the front pike. She has a powerful run and was observed to maintain her extension/toe-point consistently throughout the vault executions on this date.

Balance Beam

Squad #1 in order of performance:

1. Dara Stewart
2. Alexa Martinez
3. Robin Hawkins
4. Krista Gole
5. Natalie Barrington
6. Andree Pickens
7. Lissy Smith

Of these seven gymnasts only one fell. There were two punch front mounts and one round off layout onto the beam mount. All three were executed successfully. Dismounts included two double tucks, a double twist, a rudi off the front of the beam and two gymnasts are throwing a double twist off the side of the beam. Alexa is once again throwing a punch front in the middle of her routine and Lissy has added a head roll in her routine. Note**: Double tuck and double pike dismounts are now "E" rated skills (the most difficult).

Squad #2 in order of performance:

1. Raegan Tomasek
2. Kristin Sterner
3. Gina Logan
4. Katie Hornecker
5. Sara Scarborough
6. Whitney Morgan

Only one gymnast fell out of the six in this rotation and there were two stand-out performances by Raegan Tomasek and Kristin Sterner. Raegan's routine was very clean from start to finish and Kristin is the only other Tide gymnast besides Lissy Smith to throw a flight series of flip flop/layout/layout. Kristin also throws an amazing Popa on the beam that is soundproof! (translation: effortless) We saw some strong skills thrown by Katie (a Miller to a planche and a double tuck dismount) and Whitney (double pike dismount) while Sara Scarborough reminded us of Tatiana Gutsu with her style and presentation on beam. Sara is still wobbly on some of her straddle jumps and yet appeared to be very motivated to refine her technique during subsequent practice on the beam. Gina showed some new dance moves on beam that really look neat and her flight series of flip flop/flip flop/layout was right on. Overall, the entire team appeared to be very focused and yet confident as they executed their routines on this date in front of Coach Patterson's careful scrutiny. After watching practices over the past two months and seeing the intrasquad match on this date, the following line-up on beam appears to be taking shape:

1. Dara Stewart (has expanded to a flip flop/flip flop/layout flight series)
2. Alexa Martinez (needs to stick to her routine from last year, one of the best in the country)
3. Natalie Barrington (exuding confidence and sheer determination this year to make the line-up)
4. Andree Pickens (defending national champ on beam; what more can we say?)
5. Raegan Tomasek (back from injury at SECs and ready to reclaim her beam position)
6. Lissy Smith (in the clean up position since her freshman year; #2 on beam nationally in 1999)

Of these six gymnasts, Alexa and Natalie may experience the most challenge in maintaining their positions because of some occasional nerves displayed during meet performances on balance beam in 1999. However, they have two of the strongest routines in terms of difficulty, form and elegance of dance. Both have an international flair that is eye-catching, so they really need to be on beam. We think that Kristin Sterner and Robin Hawkins are their closest competition at this juncture, followed by Katie Hornecker and Gina Logan. We will keep Tide fans posted as we move closer to Meet the Team in early January. Roll Tide Roll!