Pooh Bear's Assistants were back in the gym with the Tide to observe some fantastic tumbling and awesome strength and conditioning workouts by our favorite gals. Makes us want to get back into the gym full time and sweat it all out. Well, ALMOST....

Vaulting

Stephanie Kite: started off with a front pike but moved quickly to the pike barani, standing it up consistently. We think this freshman is going to be in the vault line-up this season for two simple reasons: great speed as she approaches the horse followed by an awesome explosion off of the horse. Stephanie attacks the vault in a way we're used to seeing from Andree and, in the past, Kim Kelly, Meredith Willard and Danielle McAdams.

Kristen Sterner: our sophomore all-american is in the best shape of all Tiders and is giving notice early that she intends to be in the all-around from the opening meet. Kristen was also observed on this date vaulting the pike barani with confidence and she stood up every attempt. She has incredible toe point and extension on her vaults as well.

Lauren Holdefer: this freshman's front pike vault was consistently landed but she is struggling a little bit with the pike barani, mainly in the timing of her twisting of this vault mid-air. Lauren is also in awesome shape and should have this vault down before long.

Dara Stewart: our senior was throwing a front pike and started to twist it towards the end of her workout. She was struggling with both vaults but was landing the front pike consistently towards the end.

Whitney Morgan: there is a renewed air of confidence about this junior and she was throwing both a front pike and a pike barani with strong efforts. Her form, including toe point and extension, is much improved.

Uneven Bars

Andree Pickens: the junior was working on adding an extra twist to her full in dismount now that she has conquered the geinger release move (number five!).

Dara Stewart: she has added another release move, a straddle jaeger and continues to throw her full twisting double layout dismount with renewed confidence, landing it everytime.

Kristen Sterner: she was working on two dismounts, a double layout and the double front out of a reverse giant. We also saw her working on the full twisting Tkatchev release move for extra oomph.

Whitney Morgan: she continued to work steadily on the Tkatchev release move in the pike position but was unable to catch the bar on this date for regrasp. However, Tiffany informed us that she did complete this release move earlier in the week during practice, a major accomplishment considering that only a few gymnasts internationally compete this release (Yelena Produnova).

Tiffany Byrd: despite still recovering from her ACL tear, this cheerful freshman was working bars on this date and has stayed in good shape during her rehabilitation period. Tiffany informed us that she tore her ACL in April and then fell on the same knee 2 ½ months later and reinjured it, requiring additional surgery. She was rehabbing on this date with a sunny disposition and was the loudest cheerleader for her teammates. She has excellent form and extension on the bars (giants) and reminds us of Meredith Willard's body type.

Katie Hornecker: back in excellent shape and throwing her full twisting double layout dismount with consistency.

Raegan Tomasek: she has a pike Jaeger release move in her routine from last year and was working on a second release today, a Tkatchev. Nice form and extension as usual. Raegan is also in awesome shape and looks to challenge for the all around again.

Balance Beam

Natalie Barrington: flight series and leap series were the main focus for the Canadian on this date. However, she was also working on a back ¼ dive to a full turn on the beam (in the handstand position).

Jeana Rice: we watched her throw a 360 degree wolf jump about four times in a row without a single balance break. Flight series of flip flop, layout, layout was solid as well, which will give us three gymnasts throwing this more difficult series (Lissy and Kristen as well).

Stephanie Kite: the Texan was also throwing a 360 degree wolf jump and was solid on this move about half of the time. She also throws a back handspring to a two-footed layout.

Floor Exercise

Andree Pickens: we were super impressed by her throwing a pike full in several times on this date and happy to hear that this is her "back up" pass to her signature double front, which she will be throwing once again this year (has already been throwing it steadily in the pits).

Krista Gole: back to her old form, the junior was throwing a double tuck and a double twist and a 2 ½ twist. She also has a full in that she is working up to.