This is the first of sixteen (16) installments on the 2004 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide Gymnastics Team, which finished 2^nd nationally this past April despite fielding a squad of primarily freshmen and sophomores.  We will begin with the seniors and make our way over the next 8 weeks through the entire roster, concluding with the four freshmen.  Before we highlight the routines and skills to come, it seems fitting to salute the accomplishments of lone senior and All-American Kristin Sterner, who will not be easily replaced.  Her winning combination of difficult tumbling, consistent execution and relentless confidence throughout four years in the all around, is why Coach Sarah Patterson has stated that she is always on the outlook for the next Kristin Sterner.  Some say that Sterner was an over-achiever. Tide fans, and the nation, now know better. She concluded her career with 6 first-team and 5 second-team All-America Honors and was a Scholastic All-American and Academic All-SEC each of her four years at Alabama.  Along the way she picked up the coveted 2003 H. Boyd-McWhorter Academic Award as the SEC's top female student-athlete.  Kristin will depart the Capstone with two SEC Championship rings (2000, 2003) and a National Championship ring (2002) when she graduates later this year. Not bad for an over-achiever.

A New Leader

What better way to begin these installments than with the undisputed leader of the Crimson Tide for 2004, senior Jeana Rice.  Arguably one of Alabama's most gifted gymnasts ever, Rice brought a wealth of international elite skills to the collegiate scene in 2001 as a freshman and finished third in the all around at Nationals that same year in Athens, Georgia.  Temporary setbacks ensued during the beginning of her sophomore campaign, characterized by personal and physical issues that eventually were resolved in time for Rice to help the team grab the National Crown for 2002.  Overcoming this adversity proved to be the catalyst for a junior year that remains one of the most consistent on record for an Alabama gymnast.  Rice went 16 for 16 on the vault (average score of 9.921), 16 for 16 on the uneven bars (average score of 9.910), 15 for 15 on the balance beam (average score of 9.90), and 12 for 13 on the floor exercise (rolled ankle on a leap series against Nebraska after completing opening pass only, scoring an 8.450; average score for the remaining competitions was 9.90).  She obtained two perfect 10 scores along the way, on the balance beam in January against Georgia in Athens and on the vault in March against Georgia in Tuscaloosa.  Jeana was named the 2003 SEC Gymnast of the Year and the Central Regional Gymnast of the Year as well.  She capped off her junior year by finishing the regular season ranked #1 in the All-Around.

So what's in store for Tide fans as Jeana prepares for her final season of competition? The coaches expect another banner year from the Longwood, Florida native and have seen excellent results during her voluntary workouts in the gym this summer.  New skills on the uneven bars already being perfected include the full-twisting Tkatchev and a full-twisting double layout dismount.  Along with Ashley Miles, Jeana is a first team All-American on the vault, throwing a Yurchenko 1/1, 1 ½ and a Hristakieva.  She will help anchor this event for 2003 as well as the balance beam, where she has finished 2^nd (2002) and 3^rd (2003) at Nationals.   Rice already has enough difficulty on the floor exercise, throwing a full in, a whip to 2 ½ twist and a whip to a double full.  However, word up is that she may upgrade to a 2 ½ punch front, a triple twist or possibly a double layout.  Jeana has the potential to finish with 13 first team All-America Honors.  She mirrors Sterner in her consistent ability to execute difficult skills week in and week out.  Bama has an excellent chance to claim their fifth national title with Jeana leading the way.

Coming soon...Senior Lauren Holdefer