Freshman Focus

...the PBAs discuss the 2006 freshman class

This is the first part in the series. [ Click here for part 2. ]

Kristy asked about the routines of the incoming freshmen. We have searched for more details, including video reviews where available, to give you an idea of some of the skills each gymnast may be performing in 2006. We will start with Hill's Angels Level 10 J.O. 2003 All-Around National Champion, Cassie Martin.

Routines Viewed/Reported on during 2003-2005:

Cassie Martin

Vault: She has thrown several types of vaults over the past two years, including a front tuck, front pike, front pike 1/2 twist, and a Yurchenko layout. If she is to figure in the line-up at Bama on this event, Cassie will need to master the pike 1/2 twist consistently or the Yurchenko 1/1. Cassie has written in her journal on her website that she feels more comfortable with front entry vaults as opposed to the Yurchenkos, so this may give us a clue as to which type of vault she will train and compete at Alabama.

Uneven Bars: Her main skills include stalders, a full turn to Tkatchev, a Pak Salto transition and a toe-on toe-off front pike dismount. Cassie has very nice form on the bars and rotates very confidently. Potential upgrades might include a double front dismount as she has thrown double front Arabians on the floor.

Balance Beam: Switch leap mount onto the beam; ring leap; front aerial to sheep jump combination and a back handspring to layout-stepout; switch leap to back tuck combination; 2 1/2 twist for her dismount. While her execution tends to be tentative, she has some big skills that the coaches will try to shape with more fluid choreography in between.

Floor Exercise: In 2003 Cassie was throwing a double front Arabian, with incredible form in the air (legs tightly together, perfect timing on rotation and landing). She downgraded when back problems started to affect her, throwing a 2 1/2 twist to punch tuck and she has also thrown a 2 1/2 twist to punch layout in competition. She has also thrown two front layouts in sequence and a double twist to close. Recent back problems again kept her from qualifying out of Regionals to the Nationals in Ontario, California and hopefully she will have time to rest and rehab this summer before entering fall workouts in mid-September.

Courtney Priess

Vault: This event, along with uneven bars, could be one of the first areas where Courtney can potentially contribute to Alabama's line-up. She vaults a Hristakieva (Yurchenko layout Arabian) and a Yurchenko 1/1 (full twist).

Uneven Bars: Uprise handstand to giant 1/1 (full turn)to Tkatchev; straddle back to handstand on the low bar; healy (1 1/2 pirouette) to Jaeger; Arabian double front dismount (yahoo!).

Balance Beam: Flight series: back handspring to back pike (may upgrade to punch front to bhs to back pike); switch leap to switch side leap combination; switch leap with a 1/2 turn; punch front to straddle jump-straddle jump combination; dismount: inward gainer back pike. Upgrades may include a new dismount and a barani 1/2 to straddle-straddle combination.

Floor Exercise: Opens with a double pike, followed by a 2 1/2 twist and ends with a front handspring - front layout - front layout. Switch leap full turn and switch leap 1/2 turn to a wolf Popa; upgrades may include a double front Arabian and a 2 1/2 twist to punch front.

Ashley O'Neal

Vault: Handspring front 1/1(full twist) in the tuck position. Also known as a Tsukahara full twist when laid out; assuming she learns to lay this vault out, this potentially could be a dynamic addition to the Tide's line-up on this event. Ashley attacks the vault table with confidence and a lot of power.

Uneven Bars: Major highlights include a huge Tkatchev release, a Healy (1 1/2 pirouette) to a straddle back to handstand position on the low bar; clear hip to giant to a giant 1/2 turn to a double front dismount. A little form polishing, toe-point, and extra work on reaching perfect handstand positions will result in a very competitive routine for the Tide on this event.

Balance Beam: This is the event where we saw alot of focus and confidence from Ashley despite tons of difficulty. Her flight series is a back handspring to layout-stepout; leap series: switch leap to straddle jump; gymacro series: punch front to wolf jump combination; double front dismount! The last time we saw this difficult dismount was from Erinn Dooley when she was an elite. Dooley never competed it during her years at Florida, which tells you how difficult this move truly is. We think the confidence Ashley demonstrates on this event will help her chances immensely when it comes to competing for a position in the line-up.

Floor Exercise: Front handspring to double front to open; front handspring to front full to front layout combination; double pike to close. She has the difficulty and just needs a more sophisticated choreography style for college that will play to the crowd. Fortunately, that's what Dana Duckworth specializes in.